On the first of May, Varzi has one unmissable appointment: the Fair. Now in its 29th edition, Varzi in Fiera 2026 brings back to the heart of this medieval village in the Oltrepò Pavese the magic of a day where farm animals of rural tradition, local gastronomic excellence, folk music and craftsmanship come together in an authentic and unforgettable experience.

Organised by the Nuova Pro Loco Varzi with support from the Lombardy Region and the Municipality of Varzi, the event was born from a desire to promote the Apennine territory of Pavia through its most genuine roots. Over nearly three decades, it has managed to preserve the spirit of the old-fashioned rural fair while never losing sight of its role as a showcase for the typical products and cultural traditions of the Oltrepò Pavese.

Varzi, included among the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy, offers its medieval backdrop as a natural stage every year: the historic arcades, the Malaspina Tower and the ancient wine cellars become the places where history meets the present.

The day unfolds from ten in the morning until the evening, with a rich and well-paced programme that leaves room for free exploration of the village.

At 10.00 the 29th edition of Varzi in Fiera and the Market in the Ancient Village opens. At 10.30 the official inauguration takes place in Piazza della Fiera with greetings from local authorities. From 12.00 onwards the Nuova Pro Loco hosts a courtyard lunch in the square in front of the Casa dei Servizi Giovanni Azzaretti, with a menu celebrating Varzi's culinary heritage: braised-meat ravioli (with and without sauce), white and green lean ravioli, DOP salami, rice cake, schiccia flatbread, grilled salamella sandwiches, cooked salami, local cheeses, almond cake and wines from Oltrepò Pavese (seated service). At 15.30 an equestrian show takes place in the grounds of Villa Leveratto Mangini. At 16.30, at an open cellar in Via del Mercato, the new guide "La via del sale e del mare" by Giovanni Portinari is presented. The event closes at 19.00, with the next appointment in 2027.

The Pro Loco refreshment point is open from the very start of the day with sandwiches and drinks, ensuring visitors are well catered for throughout.

The beating heart of the event has always been the relationship between people and the animals of rural tradition. Throughout the day the village comes alive with the Medieval Knights Group parade, equestrian performances, breed presentations with working demonstrations, and the procession of pack mules and horse-drawn carriages.

There is also the presentation of the Varzese breed, a living link between this corner of the Apennines and its livestock heritage. Visitors can get up close with cows, goats, donkeys, horses, foals, ponies, rabbits, hens, cockerels and chicks in what feels like a living farmyard spread throughout the village.

An important note for those attending with young children: visitors are asked to follow the instructions of the technical staff at all times, for the safety of both visitors and the animals themselves.

The gastronomic tradition of Varzi finds its most authentic celebration at the fair. The courtyard lunch organised by the Nuova Pro Loco offers a menu that is both history and pleasure: braised-meat ravioli, lean white and green ravioli, DOP salami, rice cake, schiccia, grilled salamella sandwiches, cooked salami, local cheeses, almond cake and Oltrepò Pavese wines.

Throughout the village streets, visitors can taste and purchase Salame di Varzi DOP, a nationally renowned protected designation of origin product, alongside the local almond cake and produce selected by "Cose Sagge e Meravigliose", the network bringing together the best local producers of the territory.

The historic wine cellars open their doors throughout the day for visits and tastings, turning the fair into a journey through the village's centuries-old underground heritage as well.

The Malaspina Tower and Historic Churches

Thanks to the cultural association Varzi Viva, guided tours of the Malaspina Tower — also known as the Tower of Witches — are available throughout the fair. This is one of the most evocative architectural landmarks of the village. The Churches of the Bianchi and the Rossi and the Parish of San Germano will be open for free visits.

Art and Photography Exhibitions

At the Zanardi premises in Via del Mercato, the exhibition "Un amico nel pennello" (A Friend in the Brush) showcases oil-on-canvas paintings by Valentina Tambussi. Additional art and photography exhibitions are spread throughout the historic centre.

Folk Music and Traditional Dance

The Ancient Village resounds all day long thanks to "I Cantori dell'Oltrepò" (The Singers of Oltrepò), who perform music and songs from the Apennines of Pavia. The bagpipe players animate the traditional Giga dance, while I Trifoi perform dialect songs that tell the story of this land in the words of centuries past.

The fair is designed with families very much in mind. Parco Carlo Botti hosts a large dedicated children's area featuring traditional wooden games, creative workshops, face painting and the much-loved first ride in the saddle with the Ponies of Silverado Ranch — an unforgettable experience for children discovering the equestrian world for the first time.

The exhibition of working scale models of vintage farm machinery is another attraction that delights visitors of all ages, combining history, engineering and wonder.

Varzi is located in the Province of Pavia, in the Oltrepò Pavese area, approximately 60 km from the provincial capital and less than 80 km from Milan. It is reached via the SS461 road through the Val Staffora valley. Visitors travelling by car are advised to set off early, as the fair attracts visitors from across Lombardy and the surrounding provinces. The historic centre will be pedestrianised for the occasion, with parking available in the perimeter areas indicated by temporary signage.

Date: Friday, 1st May 2026

Opening hours: 10.00 to 19.00

Venue: Varzi (PV) — Historic Centre and Ancient Village

Admission: free

Organised by: Nuova Pro Loco Varzi, with support from the Lombardy Region and the Municipality of Varzi

Edition: 29th — "Cose Sagge e Meravigliose"

Photo: Giorgio Pietrella

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