San Rocco Fair

A fair with almost four centuries of history

The San Rocco Fair is one of the most cherished events of the summer in Castrocaro Terme and Terra del Sole, a municipality in the Province of Forlì-Cesena, in the heart of Tuscan Romagna in Emilia-Romagna. Its origin is documented and ancient: it dates back to 1641, when Grand Duke Cosimo II de' Medici granted the men of Castrocaro permission to hold a fair for goods and livestock. At the time, it was a large parade of cattle, with exchanges and contracts between farmers, alongside the trade of woolens, poultry, grains, fabrics, and seasonal fruit.

What to see today

The popular and market spirit remains from the ancient agricultural fair: every August 16th, Viale Marconi fills with over a hundred exhibitors and becomes a long street market that runs through the town from morning to evening. Alongside the stalls, there is space for:

• the creative, artisan, vintage, and upcycled market, with antiques and collectibles;
• the Farmer-Market with local zero-km products at affordable prices;
• the food stand with traditional Romagna dishes;
• wooden games and puzzles for all ages;
• meeting the animals from educational farms in the green area.

Tradition and culture

The San Rocco Fair is not just about commerce; it's also an opportunity to discover the local heritage. Throughout the day, there are free guided tours of the Church of San Rocco and itinerant music by the "A. Orsini" Band Corps that enlivens the streets of the center. The event is part of a broader summer calendar of concerts, shows, and cultural initiatives that animate both Castrocaro Terme and the fortified village of Terra del Sole, the ideal city desired by the Medici.

A mid-August event

Traditionally scheduled for August 16th, the feast day of San Rocco, the fair attracts residents and tourists from the spa towns and the Forlì Apennines every year, in an atmosphere of popular celebration that keeps alive a tradition spanning almost four centuries.