Smaller and more intimate than the Aosta fair of the same name, the Sant’Orso fair in Donnas is a very pleasant craft fair to visit.
It takes place in the medieval village, along the main street.
The Fair exhibits precious objects, made by about 500 craftsmen, and traditionally takes place on Sunday, preceded by other joyful events on Friday and Saturday. It is easy to be enchanted by the creations of these artists: it is impossible to go home without a gift or a memory to treasure.
Once a fair for selling farm tools built during the winter, over time it has transformed into a showcase for Valle d’Aosta’s traditional crafts products.
You can still find rakes, baskets, spoons and ladles, casks, sabots and household items, but today there is mainly the expertise of full-fledged artists to admire, who specialise in sculptures, bas reliefs, inlay on wood or serpentine as well as articles in copper and wrought iron, laces, fabrics in hemp or wool, slippers, etc.
Entry to the Veillà on Friday 13th: 15,00 €
Friday 19th January 2024
- 8.00 pm: traditional “Veillà”: open cellars in the old village, ancient crafts and typical and genuine flavours with music
Saturday 20th January 2024
- 7.30 pm: torchlight procession along the streets of the village in honour of the artisans, with the Musical Band - Meeting at the school square
- 8.00 pm: Holy Mass at the Chapel of S. Orso with the choir of Vert;
- 9.00 pm: in the pavilion, concert by the Donnas mini-band and the Piccoli Cantori della Valle Sacra (youth choir)
Sunday 21st January 2024
- 8.30 am: official opening of the Fair. Visit by the jury for the assignment of the special prizes
- 9.30 am: reception of the authorities
- 11.00 am: Holy Mass at the Chapel of S. Orso
- 12.00 pm: traditional hot meal for exhibitors
- 17.00: awards of artisan exhibitors and closing of the Fair
From 8.00 am until 9.00 pm: the ethnographic exhibition curated by the Donnas library will be open to visitors: “Lévet coumme na pimma – Light as a feather”
Shuttle Service
A free shuttle service will be in operation on Sunday with continuous runs from the “Ilssa Viola” industrial area in Pont-Saint-Martin to the Hone-Bard roundabout with stops in the various signposted car parks.
Note - this information is not directly connected to the Cammino Balteo path but it is part of the Aosta Valley tourist offer.