St Anthony's Fair

The history

Since 1997, the "Antica Fiera di Poggio a Caiano" (Ancient Fair of Poggio a Caiano) has been revived, after an interruption of about fifty years: a re-enactment of the customs and rural traditions that recalls the era when most of the local population worked in agriculture, held on the day dedicated to St Anthony, patron saint of animals and harvests.

St Anthony the Abbot lived in Egypt between the 3rd and 4th centuries, leading an ascetic life, and is considered the founder of Christian monasticism. He lived a long and complex life spanning more than a century: he was a hermit and a staunch defender of Christians persecuted by Maximinus Daza, and he fought the Devil, who tormented him throughout his life, repelling him with fasting and prayer. Since medieval times he has been regarded as the patron saint of domestic animals, which is why, on 17 January, it is customary in every parish to bless animals: while in the past it was mainly farm and barnyard animals — that is, cattle and horses, the animals used for work and to support farming families — in more recent times the custom has shifted to companion animals (dogs, cats, birds, etc.). St Anthony was also particularly dear to farmers, as protector of harvests, which he shields from storms, and of farmhouses, which he protects from fires. Farmers would usually keep an image of him in their stables and barns, asking for his protection over their livestock and fields.

The blessed rolls are dedicated to St Anthony: a custom that still endures today in the province of Prato and has very ancient traditions. They are bought early in the morning on 17 January, the day dedicated to the saint who protects animals and the forgetful, who used to invoke him with the following formula: "St Anthony the Abbot, with embroidered shoes, in a velvet robe, help me find what I have lost," replacing the word "what" each time with the precise name of the object to be found. A cry of "Here they are, blessed!" could be heard loud and clear, so that word would reach people in time to find, standing at their door with money in hand, the hurried buyers. "So many rolls, so many coins, and... here they are, blessed!" while another customer was already being served.

In Poggio a Caiano the event has distant origins, difficult to pin down: what is certain is that it already existed in 1709, the year in which the Bolognese painter active at the Medici court, Giuseppe Maria Crespi — also known as "lo Spagnolo" or "lo Spagnoletto" for his habit of wearing close-fitting clothes in the Iberian fashion — depicted it in a large oil painting on canvas kept at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence: a broad scene of what was probably above all an impressive livestock market. Since the early 1900s the fair has traditionally been held on 17 January, the day dedicated to St Anthony the Abbot. Today the festival takes place on the Sunday closest to that date.

The 2025 edition

The 2025 Antica Fiera di Sant'Antonio is scheduled for Sunday 19 January in Via Risorgimento. The event, rooted in old rural traditions, is promoted and organised by the Pro Loco di Poggio a Caiano with the collaboration and support of the municipal administration.

From 8am to 7pm, the fair market stalls will be present in the fair area, while from 10am onwards local specialities can be tasted at the food stalls run by Pro Loco and Caritas. Throughout the day it will also be possible to buy the characteristic blessed rolls of St Anthony.

During the event visitors will of course be able to admire various animals: hens, ducks, rabbits, sheep, pigs and a cow with its calf. In the fair area there will also be the firefighting vehicles of the VAB – Colline Medicee, a display of vintage tractors, and throughout the day the exciting chainsaw triathlon, organised by Il Legnaiolo: the best woodcutters will compete in speed and skill trials of wood-cutting. New this year will be Barone the mule: a friendly mule who will show how firewood used to be transported in our grandparents' time.

At 12.30pm comes the moment most eagerly awaited by young and old alike: the traditional blessing of household pets, performed by the parish priest of Poggio a Caiano. So make way for dogs, cats, birds, small fish, horses and more, which every year on this occasion crowd the fair area in great numbers together with their owners.

At 11.30am and 4.30pm there will be a milking demonstration, while from 3pm there will be a display by the Vab Colline Medicee dog training centre, a demonstration of the search-and-rescue dog unit run by Vab, and a simulation of an emergency medical response by the Misericordia of Poggio a Caiano. From 3pm to 5.30pm children will be able to enjoy a free "saddle baptism" pony ride and a carriage ride from the Cavalli e Carrozze association, offered by the Pro Loco of Poggio a Caiano. At 4.30pm there will be a snack break.

During the event, the Prato "Calogero Tramuta" coordination of the Libera association and the "Qua La Zampa Onlus" association, which runs the Prato feline sanctuary "La Bogaia", will also be present with their own information stands.

More information on the Facebook page ProLoco Poggio a Caiano .