27/08/2026
The famous fair of Senigallia!
13th Century: The market began around the 13th century, initially tied to local celebrations for Mary Magdalene and boosted by the arrival of sacred relics.
1458: The Della Rovere Dukes officially established it as a Fiera Franca (a duty-free market where goods were exempt from customs taxes).
Peak in the 18th Century: What started as a short 1-to-3-day gathering expanded into a massive 40-day commercial event, running annually around July 22nd.
The Global BazaarGlobal Goods: Merchants and buyers traveled from across Europe, the Levant, and the Mediterranean to trade silks, fabrics, weapons, spices, wine, Bohemia crystals, and Murano glass.
A Bustling Port: Ships crowded the port and even lined the local beaches along the Misa River, turning the city into a vibrant cultural melting pot with storytellers, musicians, and food vendors.
Urban Expansion: The fair became so vital to the economy of the Papal States that the city had to expand, leading to the demolition of old walls and the construction of the iconic Portici Ercolani (Herculaneum Arcades)—a long row of white Istrian stone arches built to house the massive crowds and stalls.
