The Antique Fair of Antella

The first Monday of October and the preceding Saturday and Sunday 

 

Held for the first time in 1851, this long-standing Fiera became a consolidated tradition starting from 1872 when it was held next to a bi-weekly cattle market. At this time the City Council established an annual livestock and goods fair on the Wednesday and Thursday before the more important Fiera di San Luca in Impruneta. 

 

With the passage of time the Fair grew in importance, and later select cereal seeds and garden plants could also be found. The Fair also boasted a livestock competition for the best cattle. In 1921 over 450 head of cattle were displayed during the market. 

 

After the War and with the inexorable transformation of Italian society from rural to primarily industrial, the market was gradually overtaken by the sale of goods. 

Over the recent years, however, thanks to the work of the local Administration and the “Vivere all’Antella” committee, the market has been given a new life. This is thanks to the animals that have been brought back to the center of the city, the many educational activities for the youngest citizens regarding the rural life and agricultural techniques that are prepared, and an interesting exhibit on embroidery, a deep-rooted and important art form, typical to Antella, still carried out in the “Laboratorio di ricamo tradizionale a telaio” (workshop for traditional framed embroidery).

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