The charming medieval town of Anghiari, in the province of Arezzo, was of extreme importance during the Middle Ages due its strategic position on a hilltop in Tuscany. In a time where lands changed hands frequently, this positioning was useful in preventing it slipping from your own grip and into another's. It is also here that the famous Battle of Anghiari took place, in 1440 when Florentine troops defeated a Milanese army and gained control of the region. Said scene was famously depicted by Da Vinci, further solidifying the town's place and name in history. Today, it is an exceptionally pretty place with cobbled streets that wind up and down hills, quaint stone buildings draped in plants and flowers, cute restaurants and little stores, and more. It is also where an incredible craft fair takes place each Spring, showcasing extraordinary artisanal goods still made by traditional methods in the surrounding area. If you are interested in taking a step back in time and getting your hands on some truly unique souvenirs, it is a must-see destination. Just find a vacation rental in Anghiari, carve out some time to visit the fair, and be sure to leave some space in your suitcases to bring back the precious spoils of your venture.
Traditionally, Anghiari is most famous for its cloth trade, a cloth that is woven from sheep’s wool or local hemp, and a trade in which the Busatti family from the Valdarno invested in the late 18th century, creating what has now become a worldwide brand. However, despite this, the Mostra-Mercato dell'Artigianato della Valtiberina (literally, the “Show/Artisanal Market of the Tiber Valley), which takes place at the end of April and beginning of May, showcases many different kinds of crafts and trades, not just this most famous of local practices.
In addition to the cloth trade, Anghiari is also known as a centre for antique and furniture restoration and plays host to an antiques fair on the third Sunday of each month, which grew to expand and promote the work of local artisans. This, eventually lead to the creation of the grand annual event, which takes place each year in addition to the regular fair; an incredible, large-scale craft fair that has representatives from a wide range of fields from iron-workers to potters, jewellers to leather-workers and much more besides.
The Mostra-Mercato dell'Artigianato della Valtiberina now attracts craftspeople from all over Italy, as well as local makers, and boasts and extraordinary turnout of 40,000 visitors each year. Created around forty years ago, the fair today annually sees around fifty workshops set up in the historic centre of the town and display and sell their crafts and work. It attracts only the most talented and extraordinary artisans who turn everyday objects into real works of art as well as those who engage in rather special crafts like lacemakers and goldsmithing. The magic of their wonderful creations makes wandering this picture-perfect town (named one of the 100 prettiest towns in Italy) even more enjoyable and ensure you'll find lots to see and do when you visit. Usually open daily from 10am to 7pm, admission to the fair is completely free for all visitors and it is well worth a wander, even if you don't intend on buying anything in particular.
Come explore the incredible tradition and history of this town and region and its exceptional craftsmanship, find the perfect trinket to remember your trip buy or find something magical worth travelling for in its own right, enjoy the pretty surroundings of Anghiari, and get lost in being far from home and daily life....
