• Commerce Stems from Communication
• Traditions and Roles
• Allsaints Church Inability to Hold the Fair
• Valenzano and the Fair
• Where and When
• The Fair Gains Evermore Significance
• Need More Space
• The Fair Today
• Conclusions

Commerce Stems from Communication

An important fair called "Allsaints" Fair is held around Allsaints Church, near Valenzano, on the 31 of October and the first of November (Allsaints day in the Roman Catholic Church) of every year, starting sometimes in the XIV century and with the support of the Archdioceses of Saint Nicholas of Bari. Selling and buying, bartering, and other commercial activities were also carried out in the courtyards of the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, in May and December of every year, as part of the celebrations in Bari to honor Saint Nicholas.

Traditions and Roles

In the same way, a fair was held annually around the abbey of Allsaints. The fair created an economic activity for the region that went beyond the rigid barriers of the feudal economy, which was a closed economy. In fact merchants from the lands of Otranto, Basilicata, and Foggia partipipated to Allsaints Fair starting in the XIV century. The Archdioceses of Saint Nicholas in Bari controlled these mercantile activities, charging one of its canonic to be the master of the market, that is the financial superintendent.

The merchants had to pay a tribute to the Archdioceses of Saint Nicholas in Bari to participate to the fair; but they were free from any other tax and duty by other regional authorities. This became the source of bitter fights between the town of Valenzano and the Archdioceses of Saint Nicholas, since the town was not able to impose its own duties on these mercantile activities taking place around the abbey in its territory.

Allsaints Church Inability to Hold the Fair

The monk community that inhabited Allsaints was suppressed in the XVI century. The monastery structures survived, and the fair continued to be held around that time, with trading that involved leather, wool, grains, wine, oil, cattle, cheese, and spices.

The Alcantarini friars pulled down the walls of Allsaints Monastery in the XVIII century, to construct the sanctuary of the Madonna of the Well in nearby Capurso. Many merchants then refused to participate to the fair, because of the lack of a building to shelter from the rain; so the fair started to loose significance with the passing years.

Valenzano and the Fair

The town government of Valenzano, taking advantage of the situation, requested the superintendent in Bari (the today's equivalent of a prefect) for authorization to move the fair inside the town. The mayor Rocco Brandonisio signed two petitions, one on May 3, 1810, and the other on May 17, 1811.
In the end, Gioacchino Murat authorized the transfer of the Allsaints Fair inside the town of Valenzano on June 3, 1811.

When and Where

Moved inside the town, the fair of Allsaints resumed its importance. For example, in a document of 1848, it turns out that there were present at the fair: 100 bovines, 150 horses, 470 sheep, and much more merchandise.

At these times, the fair was held in the Friar Francisco square, in front of the church of Saint Maria of San Luca, and in San Benedetto Square, in front of the Church of Saint Maria of Loreto. These spaces, however, became insufficient as the fair grew in time. The town administrators acquired, expropriated, and relocated buildings and properties, thus creating a large space where to hold the fair, an area that is now known as Plebiscito Square. The work was completed in 1863. New streets like Brandonisio Street, Cavata Street, and San Rocco Street were opened to facilitate movement between the new opening and the old town.

Traded at Allsaints Fair in this period were household goods, woven products, agricultural implements, livestock, toys, and furniture.

The Fair Gains Evermore Significance

At the beginning of the nineteenths century, the space of Plebiscito Square itself became insufficient to hold all of the people, the merchandise, and the animals present at the ever growing fair. The town administration started negotiations with the parish of Saint Rocco in 1907 to acquire a wide tract of land called "San Carlo". The negotiations failed, however, and after the First World War, the town administrators were forced to expropriate that land.

Need More Space

The space that was obtained corresponds to the present Marconi Square (where the municipal building is now present). It was used primarily for trading livestock during the fair. A soccer field was build in this area in the 1930's. The town administrators build a park in place of the soccer field in the 1980's.

The Fair Today

Today the fair lasts only one day, on the first of November of every year, and it is held in the main streets of the town: Aldo Moro Street (former Rome Street), Piave Street, Plebiscito Square, Adelfia Street, Padre Pio Square, and he corresponding crossing streets. Sold at the fair are utensils, agricultural tools, clothing, household articles, and toys.

The sale of livestock is now located along the country road that leads to Marrone, starting at the Canalone. Sold there are also ducks, chicken, rabbits, and is possible to find exotic animals such as parrots, etc.

Conclusions

Allsaints fair in Valenzano is an important proof of the fundamental role played by the network of fairs in the economic, financial, and commercial circles in Puglia and in the southern Italy.

The "Levante Fair", that is held annually in Bari in early September, is another testimonial of the important role played by fairs in Puglia. It should be noted, however, that Allsaints Fair was born in a feudal culture more than 600 years ago, while the Levante Fair was started in 1931 to develop Bari's economy while proposing Bari as the gateway to the east.