Events
The enchanting town of Santa Fiora is located in the Amiata district and is seen as an extremely beautiful and interesting village both for its natural surroundings, as for the events and local festivals held there each year.
Here is a list of some of these festivals, in chronological order:
January:
-“Concerto di Capodanno” (New Year Festival): an extremely exciting musical event.
-“Le Befanate”: with no literal English translation, the Befana is much like Santa Claus for the Italians and is depicted as an old lady who brings gifts on the day of the Epiphany. This festival is held on the 5th and celebrate this figure and the arrival of the Epiphany.
- “Giornata della Memoria” (Remembrance Day): internationally held on the 27th. At Santa Fiora there are events and celebrations of profound cultural interest.
February:
- “Carnevale in Piazza” (Carnival in Piazza): a traditional festival and mask and costume parade to celebrate carnival.
April:
- “Canto del Maggio” (May Chorals): a local event celebrating the arrival of May with chorals and symbolic festivities held in the nearby district of Selva.
May:
-“Albero del Primo Maggio” (Tree of the First of May): a popular local festival celebrating the first of May
-“Festa del Santissimo Crocifisso” (Festival of the Saint Crucifix): a traditional event organized at Santa Fiora, involving a procession of logs.
-“Fiera delle Merci e degli animali” (Market and animal Fair): a grand fair with stands and stalls, organized for the 3rd of the month.
- “Festa della Fiaschetta” (Festival of the Wine Flask): a traditional local event with ancient roots involving the exchange of gifts between an engaged couple. Today it is seen as an ideal opportunity to appreciate the high quality products local to the Monte Amiata territory.
June:
- “Mediofondo delle Miniere” (Bike Race of the Mines): celebrating its 5th year in 2007, this event is a unique bike race that never fails to draw a great deal of attention and visitors to Santa Fiora.
July:
- “Fiera delle Sante Flora e Lucilla” (The Fair for St. Flora and Lucilla): a traditional fair held on the 29th, in honour of the patron saints of the town.
August:
-“Festa della Madonna delle Nevi” (Festival of the Madonna delle Nevi): a local celebration in honour of the Madonna organized on the 4th of the month.
-“Concerto di Ferragosto” (Concert of Ferragosto): held on the 15th in the splendid Santa Fiora, this is a traditional and classical festival organized by philharmonic G. Pozzi.
-“Fiera di San Rocco” (St Rocco Fair): wonderful fair of stalls and markets offering handicrafts and other artistic objects, organized on the 16th.
October:
- “Festa del Fungo Amiatino” (Festival of the Amiatino Mushroom): a traditional festival that has been celebrated for over 30 years. During this event visitors have the chance to try the traditional mushroom dishes of the area and can enjoy various displays and entertainment. Quite a cultural event, this festival is always very interesting and is held in Bagnolo during the first and second week of the month.
- “Sagra del Marrone” (The Brown Festival): a local festival celebrating the Castagna (chestnut) DOP of Monte Amiata. During this festival, organized in the last week of the month, there are dishes and products typical of this part of the Maremma and a chance to learn about the harvesting and processing of the chestnut.
December:
-“Festa di Santa Barbara” (Festival of St. Barbara): a traditional celebration in honour of the Patron Saint of the Miners. Held on the 1st to the 4th of the month the festival includes many exciting events and manifestations.
-“Presepi nelle Chiese” (Church Nativity Scene): a local event involving the Nativity and held in the principal church of Santa Fiora and nearby towns.
-“Fiaccolata”: Organized on the 30th, this is a sort of fire festival, where the young male protagonists carry lit torches through the streets to illuminate the town.
-“Capodanno in Piazza” (New Year in Piazza): a festival for the end of the year with musical shows, dances and toasts to celebrate the arrival of a new year.
Must see events:
“Festa del Fungo Amiatino” (Festival of the Amiatino Mushroom): A traditional festival already in its 30th year, this event celebrates and promotes the local cuisine by offering visitors the chance to try traditional mushroom dishes and to enjoy interesting cultural events, demonstrations and entertainment.
Held in the nearby district of Bagnolo during the first and second week of October, this festival never fails to draw a great deal of attention and visitors to this section of the Maremma.
“Festa del Marrone” (Brown Festival): a traditional village festival that celebrates the Castagna (chestnut) PDO of Monte Amiata. During the event, held in the last week of October, visitors have the opportunity to try dishes and typical chestnut based products local to this part of the Maremma.
Guided tours are also carried out to let visitors see the collection and processing of chestnuts.