Fair of the Madonna of Loreto

The fair was established in 1598 with the concession of Pope Clement VII who set it for 21 April and granted it various privileges: for eight days everyone could enjoy exemptions and immunities, with the exception of bandits and rebels. In 1664 the Fair was moved to 13 June, the feast of Sant'Antonio da Padova, with the previous privileges being maintained. Since way back, the date was postponed to 8 and 9 September, the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin.

Until the mid-twentieth century, the stalls were positioned under the monumental portico that leads from Porta San Matteo to the hospital and sanctuary of the Madonna di Loreto, while later it was decided to move them inside the medieval walls, in the "Borgaccio" area , along via Mameli, via interno delle Mura and neighbouring streets. Since 2012, the fair has run along Viale Trento e Trieste, the road leading to the station.

The product categories on sale are extremely varied: from clothing to footwear, from gardening items to costume jewellery, toys, housewares, wicker, candies and candied nuts. It is typical to see stalls displaying wreaths of garlic and onions – the fair is also called “of the onions” – as well as the inevitable presence of street vendors selling highly sought-after sandwiches with porchetta, a sort of ritual for Spoleto locals who wander between the stalls while enjoying this tasty local “street food”.