Are you always looking for that piece of home furnishings that your home sweet home really needs? Or are you among those who “retro clothes and accessories have that extra gear that gives personality”?
For all lovers of antiques, vintage and craft objects made with patience and passion by modern artisans, here’s a list of the markets not to be missed in Emilia-Romagna, including clothing, jewelry, furnishings…and much more!
Caorso (PC) | Memories of the past
Every fourth Sunday of the month in the historic center of the town of Caorso, in the province of Piacenza, there’s “Ricordi del passato“ (Memories of the past), the market especially for antique lovers, but also for those who are looking for original ideas to furnish their homes.
Cortemaggiore (PC) | Exhibition of Antiques and Things from Other Times
Every first Sunday of the month, except for January, the Exhibition of Antiques and Things from Other Times takes place in the streets and squares of Cortemaggiore, in the province of Piacenza. Organized since 1988, it brings together over 200 exhibitors from all over Italy.
Parma | Mercanteinfiera
Twice a year, in spring and autumn, at the Fiera of Parma you can’t miss “Mercanteinfiera“, one of the most important events of the sector in Europe. On these occasions, the Parma Fair Centre becomes a real antique city, in which more than a thousand exhibitors from all over Europe show and sell their discoveries.
Fontanellato (PR) | Antiques Market
Every third Sunday of the month, from 7.30 am to 6.30 pm, the square, streets and arcades around the Sanvitale Fortress come alive with the exhibitors of the Antiques Market of Fontanellato, one of the most important and qualified markets in northern Italy. Among its stalls, you can find everything that can fascinate a lover of antiquities or vintage: furniture, paintings, toys, watches and optical instruments, radios, silver and jewelry, books, prints and coins, and so on.
Modena | MAAM
Several times a year in Piazza Matteotti in Modena, the MAAM, Modena Arts and Crafts Market, is back, the market that brings together about 180 artisans who, on this occasion, sell their high-quality creations. Visitors also have the opportunity to take part in the courses taught by the creative people of the association right in the market.
Modena | The Antique in Piazza Grande
The last weekend of every month (except July) the Piazza Grande of Modena, a UNESCO heritage site, is the setting for “L’Antico in Piazza Grande“, the antique fair of the city, during which, from 9 am to 7 pm, you can find antique dealers and artisan restorers.
Modena | 7.8.Novecento
Every year during the spring season, the Modena’s Fair Centre hosts “7.8.Novecento“, the Great Market of the Antiques. It’s one of the oldest antique markets in Italy, with about 200 Italian and foreign antiquarians, where you can find important antiques, modern and vintage pieces.
Spilamberto | 800 and around
On the third Sunday of each month (except June, July, and August) in the streets of the historic center of the pretty village of Spilamberto, province of Modena, “800 e dintorni“ is held, the exhibition market of the old and used things, which collects about 200 exhibitors. Here you can find furniture, coins, collectibles and modeling, embroidery, and various objects.
Bologna | Antiques Market
In Bologna the second weekend of the month (excluding the months of July and August) in the scenic Piazza Santo Stefano and in the adjacent streets the Mercato Antiquario Città di Bologna is held. On the stalls, you can find objects of small antiques, modern art, and collectibles: walking sticks, postcards, dolls, lace, vintage photographic material, and magazines of the past.
The Market is present from 8.30 am to 6 pm in winter, and from 8.30 am to 7 pm in summer.
Budrio (BO) | Charms and Merchants
Throughout the year, every third Sunday of the month in the streets of the pretty urban center of Budrio, a few miles from Bologna (famous for being the Ocarina Village), from dawn to dusk the “Incanti e Mercanti” market takes place, with more than 200 exhibitors of antiques, modernism, and reuse.
Ferrara | Things of the past and Handicraft Fair
In Ferrara, two historical markets take place:
- every first weekend of the month (except August) from 9.00 am to 7.30 pm “Cose d’Altri Tempi“ (Things of the past) in Corso Porta Reno and Corso Martiri della Libertà, where you can find furniture, prints, paintings, books, magazines, comics, vinyl records, postcards, ceramics, and so on;
- every third weekend of every month (except July and August) from 9.00 am to 7.30 pm in Piazza Savonarola “La Fiera dell’Artigianato“, where you can find ceramic, glass, fabric, wood, and paper handmade products.
Lugo (RA) | Vintage for one day
Twice a year, in April and October, the historic center of the Romagna town of Lugo comes alive with the stalls of “Vintage per un giorno“ (Vintage for one day), the perfect market for vintage enthusiasts, where to find, among more than 300 exhibitors for a day, clothing, objects and more. Two shopping weekends, looking for big and small treasures buried in closets or attics of other people!
Faenza (RA) | The other day
The second Sunday of the month (except June and December), at the Fair Centre of Faenza the appointment with “Ieri l’altro“ is back, where you can find the vintage proposals of about one hundred exhibitors of antique, modern, and collection objects.
Forlì | Merchants for one day
Several times during the year the Forlì Fair Centre hosts the flea & hobby market “Commercianti per un giorno“ (Merchants for a day).
The event is entirely dedicated to privates who can literally become vendors for a day and sell/exchange their goods, to make a profit from unused objects, reuse and smart buying.
At the fair, you can find everything: from engines to electronic products, from collecting to clothing.
Cesena | Once upon a time...Antiques
Every third weekend of the month in the Cesena Fair Centre, the antiques show market “C’era una volta Antiquariato” (Once upon a time Antiques) offers a vast range of products and an excellent selection of fine antiques from the 17th century up to the last century. The indoor exhibition area is open from 9.00 am to 6.30 pm.
Santarcangelo di Romagna (RN) | The house of time
Every first Sunday of the month, Piazza Ganganelli and the streets of the centre of Santarcangelo di Romagna, a few kilometres from Rimini, host one of the most popular and popular antique fairs in the province of Romagna: “La Casa del Tempo“ (The house of time).
On the stalls, present from 8.30 am to 7 pm, you can find furniture and furnishings, silverware, ceramics, watches and various collectables, from the 19th century to the 1960s.
San Giovanni in Marignano (RN) | The Old and the Antique
Every fourth Sunday of the month (excluding July and August) in Via Vittorio Veneto in San Giovanni in Marignano, in the Rimini hills, the appointment is renewed with “Il Vecchio e l’Antico“ (The Old and the Antique), antiques, modern & collectors’ market where you can find pieces of art, furniture, jewelry and numismatics.
Author
Elisa Mazzini
Social Media Manager for @inEmiliaRomagna and full-time mom.
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Anthony
Hi Elisa
This is a great list of antiques markets and fairs. Two quick questions: Have they all reopened since the pandemic closure and if you had to recommend just 2 or 3 that are open in Feb/March which ones would you suggest visiting?
Elisa Mazzini
Hi Anthony, sorry for the late reply (unfortunately we had a problem with some blog comments) but yes, antique markets are open;
I have just updated the article with the new links.
Elisa