Fair of Grazie

The Fair of Grace: An Ancient Tradition Between Art, Faith and Folklore in Mantua

In the picturesque village of Grazie, a hamlet of Curtatone (MN), an event steeped in history, art and popular devotion is renewed every year: the Antichissima Fiera delle Grazie. This event, whose origins are lost in time and which was established way back in 1425 by the Marquis Gianfrancesco Gonzaga, celebrates the Assumption of Mary around August 15, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from everywhere.

The focus of the Fair is the majestic Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Graces, an architectural jewel erected at the end of the 14th century. It is right in the churchyard of this sacred place that the magic of the Madonnara art takes place. Since 1973, in fact, the Fair of Grace has hosted the National Meeting of the Madonnari, a unique event of its kind that sees chalk artists, coming from every corner of Italy and from numerous foreign countries, transform the flooring into extraordinary open-air canvases. Their works, real ephemeral masterpieces, tell stories of faith, sacred characters and allegories, created with skill and passion, under the admiring eyes of the public. It is a suggestive experience to witness the birth of these creations, destined to vanish with the first rains, to symbolize the transience of existence and the beauty of the present moment.

In addition to the performance of the Madonnari and the spirituality linked to the Sanctuary, the Fair of Grace is also a riot of popular traditions. Thousands of people reach the village on foot, recalling ancient pilgrimages, in an atmosphere of sharing and celebration. The air is filled with the typical scents of local cuisine, where the inevitable cotechino delle Grazie reigns supreme, a product de.Co. served in abundance with fresh bread and Lambrusco, the true culinary symbol of the event.

The Fair of Grace is, in short, an event that harmoniously combines the most refined street art, deep religious devotion and the most authentic roots of Mantuan popular culture, offering an unforgettable experience to anyone who wishes to immerse themselves in a unique and fascinating atmosphere.

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Useful information for your visit to the Fiera delle Grazie

To make the most of your experience at the Antichissima Fiera delle Grazie, here's all the practical information you might need.

Where and When

The Fair takes place annually in the charming village of Grazie di Curtatone (MN). The heart of the event is the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Graces, located in:

Piazza Santuario, 4 - 46010 Grazie di Curtatone (MN)

The event is traditionally held in the period of mid-August, from 14 to 17 August.

National Meeting of the Madonnari: The artists work in the churchyard starting at 7:00 on August 14 until 16:00 on August 15. It's a unique opportunity to see them at work!
Museo dei Madonnari: Generally open from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 19:00 for the duration of the fair.

How to arrive and park

Considering the high influx of visitors, the organization of the Fair provides various parking solutions.
Paid Parking: A short distance from the Sanctuary you will find large paid parking lots. Carefully follow the dedicated signs that you will find at the entrance to the village.
Camper Parking Areas: For those traveling by motorhome, a Camper Parking Area is available in Via della Fiera 10/11 in Grazie di Curtatone. We recommend that you check in advance the availability and the specific rates for the period of the Fair.
Accessibility: Reserved parking spaces are provided for visitors with reduced mobility. It will be necessary to display the disabled card.
Important: Due to the influx, you may encounter traffic. We recommend that you always follow the instructions of traffic officers and consider using public transport or shuttles, if activated, for easier access.

What to Taste

You can't leave the Fair without having tasted the famous Cotechino delle Grazie De.Co., a typical local product. You will find numerous stalls offering it, traditionally served as a sandwich and accompanied by a glass of Lambrusco Mantovano.

The Fair of Grace: 600 Years of History and Tradition

In the picturesque village of Grazie, in Curtatone (MN), the Antichissima Fiera delle Grazie celebrates an exceptional milestone in 2025: 600 years since its foundation (1425). Around the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Grace, the spiritual heart of the event, an ancient tradition that combines faith, art and folklore is renewed every mid-August, attracting tens of thousands of visitors.

This centuries-old fair is not only a commemoration, but a living experience of pilgrimages and conviviality. Among the stalls, you can't miss the Cotechino delle Grazie De.Co., a local gastronomic symbol, to be enjoyed with bread and Lambrusco. The 600th anniversary is a celebration of the village's ability to keep its roots alive, offering a bridge between past and future in one of the “most beautiful villages in Italy”, immersed in the natural beauty of the Mincio Park.

The 51st National Meeting of the Madonnari: Ephemeral Art

In 2025, coinciding with the 600th anniversary of the Fair of Grazies, the 51st National Meeting of the Madonnari, the most important international event dedicated to the art of chalk, takes place.

Over one hundred artists from all over the world will create ephemeral works of sacred inspiration, using only chalks on the pavement. These creations, destined to vanish, symbolize the beauty of the moment. The 2025 theme, “By Grace Received. The Madonnas of the World at Grazie”, will explore the universality of Marian worship.

A highlight will be “Ianua Coeli” (Gate to Heaven), a monumental work out of competition directed by the American artist Kurt Wenner. Created by madonnari masters, this work will be a tribute to Our Lady of Graces and, inspired by the Jubilee Holy Doors, can be crossed by the faithful, becoming a “Jubilee Holy Door for artists”.

The Fair of Grace 2025: An Extraordinary Year for 600 Years of History, Faith and Art

Get ready to experience an unforgettable edition of the Antichissima Fiera delle Grazie! From 14 to 17 August 2025, the village of Grazie di Curtatone (MN), one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, celebrates an extraordinary milestone: its 600th anniversary.

Fair of Grace 2024: The Madonnarians Play the Divine Comedy

In 2024, the Antichissima Fiera delle Grazie hosted a particularly suggestive edition of its National Meeting of the Madonnari. From 14 to 18 August, the churchyard of the Sanctuary of Grace was transformed into an immense open-air canvas, dedicated to Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy.

The Fair of Grace 2023: A Mid-August between Art and Tradition

The Ancient Fair of Grace animated the village of Curtatone in 2023. From 12 to 16 August, the event celebrated its rich history and vibrant traditions, culminating in the heart of the mid-August celebrations.

The Museo dei Madonnari: Keeper of an Ephemeral Art

In the heart of the village of Grazie, a few steps from the famous Sanctuary, there is a unique and fascinating place: the Museo dei Madonnari. This exhibition space is entirely dedicated to ephemeral art that, every year, comes to life in the churchyard on the occasion of the National Meeting of the Madonnari.

Through reproductions on panels and cards, the Museum offers an overview of the works carried out in the past years, allowing us to appreciate the technique, mastery and devotion that animate every single drawing. It is a precious opportunity to deepen the knowledge of an art that lives in the moment, but that leaves an indelible mark on the soul of those who observe it.

Thanks to Curtatone: On the Podium of “Il Borgo dei Borghi”!

The village of Grazie di Curtatone is not only the guardian of an ancient fair and thousand-year-old art; it is also a jewel recognized nationally. In 2024, Grazie won an exceptional third place in the famous television program “Il Borgo dei Borghi”, an award that underlines the indisputable beauty, historical richness and authenticity that make it one of the “most beautiful villages in Italy”.
Watch the report on RaiPlay: Il Borgo dei Borghi

The result of “Il Borgo dei Borghi” turned the spotlight on Grazie, inviting even more visitors to discover its traditions, to walk through historic streets and to immerse themselves in an atmosphere where faith, art and nature come together in an unforgettable experience.
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