Considered to be one of the finest antique fairs in Tuscany, the Antique Market in Arezzo was the first market of its kind to be established in Italy in 1968. On the first Staurday and Sunday of every month, the market takes advantage of the extraordinary scenery of Piazza San Francesco, Piazza Grande and the Logge del Vasari, with stalls also spreading over the side alleys and squares across the historic centre, transforming the character of the city for the two days of the fair. The Fiera Antiquaria di Arezzo has grown over the years in size and reputation with around 500 vendors from across the country selling their treasures at the market, with an array of beautiful old furniture, paintings, silverware, antique books, assorted china, crystal and jewellery. A haven for antique collectors, the warren of shops that usually line the winding streets of Arezzo, and are worth spending an entire day to explore, however the sunny morning we arrived, the market was set up in the gorgeous Passeggio del Prato, a leafy park just steps from Piazza Grande.
Arriving early to immerse ourselves into the pageantry of the day, we stopped for a cappuccino at Gli Svizzeri Pastisseria to gird our loins and spent the morning exploring the Antique Market looking for hidden gems. To our great surprise, the annual Giostra del Saracino, an ancient tournament of chivalry dating back to the Middle Ages, was taking place the same day. The event opens with a colourful procession of over 350 participants dressed in ornate 14th-century costumes. The highlight of the procession is the blessing of the armed on the steps of the Duomo by the Bishop of Arezzo. In the late afternoon, the knightly tournament takes place in Piazza Grande. With the sound of trumpets and drums, the procession represented by each quarter of Arezzo's four neighbourhoods, enter the square bearing the colours and ancient gonfalons of the city, and prepare to joust for the Lancia d'Oro, or golden fleece. An extraordinary day of antique hunting and medieval pageantry, our visit to Arezzo was a special day we shall never forget.
Pasticceria Stefano Gli Svizzeri on Corso Italia
Our Barista making our cappuccino
The perfect hot and creamy cappuccino
Cornetto con Crema
Scarcella di noce e miele
The Arezzo Antique Fair was set up through the beautiful Passeggio del Prato the day we visited, as the annual La Giostra del Saracino was taking place in the Piazza Grande
Local pottery and glassware
Over 500 antique dealers arrive for the Fiera Antiquaria di Arezzo on the first weekend of every month
Lovely antique books for sale at the Fiera Antiquaria di Arezzo
The Porchetta truck is an iconic sight at any fair
An impromptu parade of La Giostra del Saracino making their way through the Park,
to the delight of all of us at the Antique Market
Blessing of the Jousters at the Duomo
With great fanfare, the parade makes its way through Arezzo to the Piazza Grande
The procession of over 300 participants in historical costume
All ages participate in the festivities
One of the 8 knights for each of the 4 quarters (quartieri) of the city - Porta del Foro, San Andrea, Porta Santo Spirito and Porta Crucifera
A symphony of drums and horns serenade each respective team
The costumes are beautifully made and make quite a sight
Two knights from each of Arezzo's four quartieri - Porta del Foro, San Andrea, Porta Santo Spirito and Porta Crucifera - compete against one another in a joust to win the Golden Lance
Each knight gallops with a wooden lance and aims at the Buratto and its shield, with the tournament won by the Quarter whose knights obtained the most points and wins the Lancia d'Oro
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