San Torello Fair

A centuries-old tradition in the heart of the Casentino

The San Torello Fair is considered the oldest market fair in the Casentino. Its origins date back to the period following the Unification of Italy, when large fairs and village markets began to emerge across Tuscany and the entire country in the second half of the 19th century. In Ponte a Poppi, a village in the Municipality of Poppi in the province of Arezzo, four annual fairs were officially recognized and registered. The San Torello Fair, dedicated to the valley's patron saint, remains the most deeply rooted and highly anticipated.

From cattle market to village festival

Originally, the fair was primarily an important cattle market, held on Mondays and attracting numerous farming families from the Casentino. Alongside the livestock, there were stalls selling clothing, footwear, seeds, and local produce. With the rise of factory work and the transformation of rural society, the fair gradually shifted to the weekend. The livestock market disappeared in the 1970s, while the street vendors' stalls continued to attract visitors.

Saint Torello, patron of the Casentino

Saint Torello is the patron saint of the Casentino and co-patron of Forlì. He followed the rule of the Vallombrosan Order without ever wearing the habit. In his honor, the Venerable Company of Saint Torello was established in 1801 at the Abbey of San Fedele in Poppi. His religious feast falls on the second Sunday after Easter and is preceded by a three-day preparation period featuring masses and the distribution of blessed bread to the faithful.

The fair today

Today, the San Torello Fair is a large open-air market exhibition that brings Via Roma to life, stretching from the "il Porto" shopping center roundabout to Piazza Risorgimento. The stalls remain open all day, offering:

• Typical Casentino products: cheeses, cured meats, sweets, and artisanal chocolate;
• Handicrafts and handmade creative works;
• Clothing, footwear, and accessories;
• Flowers, plants, and nursery products;
• Household goods and gastronomic specialties.

Over fifty operators, including local merchants and traveling vendors, participate in the event. Throughout the day, local shops remain open with special offers and promotions, while street artists enliven the streets, entertaining children with games and performances.

A festival for the entire valley

Promoted by Confesercenti Arezzo with the patronage of the Municipality of Poppi and the Chamber of Commerce of Arezzo-Siena, the fair was created to enhance the commercial network of Ponte a Poppi and revitalize its natural center, fostering integration with local craftsmanship and regional products. For many Casentino families, it remains an unmissable spring appointment—a perfect occasion to stroll, shop, and gather in the shadow of the Conti Guidi Castle that overlooks Poppi.