In the mid January the Sant'Orso Fair starts in Donnas. It is nearly 1000-year-old fair. TheAlps will be there!
Every January the Aosta Valley celebrates La Fiera di Sant’Orso. It is for sure one of the oldest festival and fair in the world. For over 1000 years it has been a place where local artisans can show their work. The fair is localized in the historical centres in Aosta and in the small village, Donnas.
Old tools and machinery, sculptures, textiles, stone carvings, wooden toys, masks and many other you can find while walking between stands. TheAlps will be in the Cellar No 1.
Friday before the Fair is traditionally the Veillà – time when visitors are walking along old, narrow street looking for a place in one of many cantinas.
The Fair is called after Saint Ursus, the most popular saint in Aosta who lived during the 6th century and was a bishop of Aosta. However, his feast day is on the 1st February and moreover, he is said to be Irish or Scottish.
The fair programme and a map:
Friday 16th January
8.00 p.m. Traditional Veillà:a tour around the old village in search of the cellars open in the old village centre.
Saturday 17th January
7.30 p.m.Torchlight procession through the village streets dedicated to the artists craftsmen;
8.00 p.m. Holy Mass in the Sant’Orso chapel;
Sunday 18th January
8.00 a.m. Official opening of the Fair. The Jury will be visiting the stalls to decide the winner of the special prizes;
9.00 a.m. Reception with the Authorities and performance by the band of Donnas;
5.00 p.m. Prizes awarded to the craft exhibitors and closure of the Fair.
A free shuttle service will run all day, with buses departing from the opposite entrances of the fair area.