San Severo Fair

The most beloved festival in Castelfranco di Sotto

Some events mark the life of a town more than any calendar: in Castelfranco di Sotto, in the Province of Pisa, that event is the San Severo Fair. Every year, in mid-November, the historic center transforms into a vibrant festival space that blends devotion to the patron saint with the excitement of a funfair and the colorful bustle of markets. Known locally as the "fierone" (the big fair), it is much more than just a market: it is the identity of a community reconnecting with its roots.

A tradition dating back to 1662

The history of the Fair is rooted in a specific event. The body of Saint Severus, a Roman martyr, was discovered in 1660 in the cemetery of Santa Ciriaca in Rome, in a tomb that also held the remains of two other martyrs. In an era when it was customary to donate the bodies of saints to parishes, Saint Severus had been requested by a French town, but thanks to the efforts of several Tuscan priests, the relics were destined for Castelfranco di Sotto. On November 18, 1662, the saint's body arrived in town, transported via the Arno River and welcomed by a jubilant crowd. Since then, November 18 has been the day of the patronal feast, around which the entire event revolves.

What to expect during the Fair

For nearly a week, the heart of Castelfranco di Sotto fills with life. The ingredients of the festival are now a well-established tradition:

• The large funfair, set up in Piazza XX Settembre and surrounding squares, with over thirty attractions for all ages.
• The "fierone", with about a hundred street vendors invading the streets and squares of the historic center, especially on the peak days.
• Religious celebrations on the day of the patron saint, with Masses dedicated to Saint Severus.
• Children's and Disability Day, featuring promotions on rides and facilitated access for people with disabilities.
• Openings of the natural shopping center and collateral cultural events, such as exhibitions and activities in city venues.

An event that tells the story of Tuscany

The San Severo Fair is the perfect example of how, in Tuscany, a patronal feast can hold together the sacred and the profane: the procession and Masses coexist with the lights of the funfair and the chatter of market stalls. For those visiting Castelfranco di Sotto during these days, it is also an opportunity to discover a Lower Valdarno village with a regular, ancient layout, located just a few kilometers from San Miniato and the leather-producing lands. The event is organized by the Municipality of Castelfranco di Sotto, which manages the civil, commercial, and religious program of the festival every year.