MERCATO DELLA GAITE A BEVAGNA 

JUNE

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The Gaite Market of Bevagna is a Medieval fair that takes guests back in time to a village from the 1300’s. Each year the small Umbrian city, at the end of June, sets up the workshops, colours and flavours, economic and administrative activities that characterized Bevagna’s daily life in the fourteenth century.

The entire city takes part in the re-enactment, which requires months of research and preparation. Through the streets of the city visitors can witness reproductions of the trades, clothing and work instruments. Guests to the market can see, touch and purchase goods from a potter or weaver, enter the workshop of the paper maker or spice seller, discover how silk was made from silk worms or how wax was boiled in copper and made into candles.

An accurate historic reconstruction, thanks to the iconography, Medieval statutes and fourteenth-century manuscripts, has made the Gaite Market of Bevagna one of the most important Medieval festivals in Italy. But the Market of the Gaite – or the quarters the ancient city was divided into: San Giorgio, San Pietro, San Giovanni and Santa Maria –also features a competition. The Gaite compete against each other in four disciplines: the market competition, the competition of the trades, the food competition, and the archery competition. 

Vocal and instrumental concerts with original music from the 1300’s, theatre presentations and street art performances are held throughout the event. Dining in a tavern is an experience to be remembered. 

Bevagna, named one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, is a town of slightly more than 5000 residents. It is famous for its Piazza Silvestri, one of the region’s most extraordinary Medieval squares, where the splendid staircase of Palazzo dei Consoli also stands.

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More info: www.ilmercatodellegaite.it