Teano City Fair (Sant'Antonio Fair)

A fair born in the shadow of the sanctuary

On the Sant'Antonio hill, located just behind the urban center of Teano, stands the Franciscan monastic complex dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua, a pilgrimage destination for the entire Sidicino area for centuries. It is here, around the sanctuary, that the Teano City Fair—known to everyone as the Sant'Antonio Fair—comes to life in early June. It is the most anticipated event of the year for the Municipality of Teano and the neighboring towns in the Province of Caserta, Campania.

The origins of the event are ancient. The fair dates back to the 17th century, when it was known throughout Europe for the trade of warhorses: the Saint's feast day drew pilgrims and merchants to the hill, creating one of Italy's most important markets for horse trading. That commercial vocation has never faded; rather, it has evolved. Today, the horses have been replaced by the agricultural and artisanal excellence of the Alto Casertano region.

Agriculture and craftsmanship of the Alto Casertano

The heart of the event is the large exhibition area set up on the hill, where stands managed directly by local farmers and artisans showcase the work of the Sidicino countryside. Agricultural machinery, equipment, artisanal products, and small family businesses coexist in a space that serves as a market, a showcase, and a meeting point for producers and visitors alike.

The fair is promoted by the Municipality of Teano in collaboration with the 'Area Sidicina – Alto Casertano' Trade District and Coldiretti Caserta, with the patronage of the Campania Region, the Province of Caserta, and the Chamber of Commerce. It is more than just a showcase; it is a concrete way to support the local economy and highlight commerce as a social and cultural engine for an inland territory that thrives on agriculture.

The 'Taste Village' curated by Slow Food

The gastronomic soul of the fair is the Taste Village, an area entirely dedicated to local products, curated in partnership with Slow Food (historically with the Massico Roccamonfina chapter). Here, producers from the Alto Casertano display, explain, and offer tastings of their specialties, with guided sessions and meetings dedicated to promoting the region's typical products. Featured items usually include:

• the Teano chickpea, an iconic legume of the Sidicino town;
• the Teano round hazelnut, along with the sweets, creams, and biscuits made from it;
• truffles and typical cured meats of the Alto Casertano;
• the Campanian Annurca apple;
• buffalo mozzarella and local cheeses;
• extra virgin olive oil, honey, jams, and fruit juices;
• local wines, Casertano black pork, and saffron.

Faith and devotion to Saint Anthony of Padua

The fair cannot be explained without the religious feast that gave birth to it. The days on the hill are accompanied by celebrations in honor of Saint Anthony of Padua, featuring liturgical services and traditional moments of devotion passed down from generation to generation. Around June 13th, the Saint's feast day, the Teano community experiences its most heartfelt event, from the climb to the sanctuary to the procession that winds from the hill through the city before returning in the evening.

A network of municipalities around the fair

In recent years, the event has taken on a supra-municipal dimension: alongside Teano, the municipalities of Caianello, Francolise, Mignano Monte Lungo, and Rocchetta e Croce participate, united within the Trade District with Confesercenti and Confcommercio. The result is a collective showcase of the Sidicino area and the Alto Casertano, featuring cultural insights, workshops, and conferences dedicated to the future of local agriculture.

Teano, a Sidicino city in the province of Caserta

As the ancient capital of the Sidicini and later an important Roman municipality, Teano houses one of the largest Roman theaters in Campania and a medieval historic center. The territory stretches at the foot of the extinct Roccamonfina volcano, within the Roccamonfina – Foce Garigliano Regional Park: a landscape of chestnut groves, olive orchards, and hazelnut fields that explains why the June fair has remained, after four centuries, an agricultural event first and a tourist one second.

Tips for your visit

The fair takes place outdoors and is designed for families: wear comfortable shoes and plan your visit for the late afternoon when the stands come alive. It is well worth combining your visit with a climb to the sanctuary and a stroll through the historic center of Teano.