The origin of the Santhiatese Carnival is very ancient. There is a document attesting to its existence in 1430 when a group of young men were condemned to pay 25 soldi for having brought a donkey covered in priestly robes into church during Carnival festivities "with the utmost solemnity".
With the advent of the Duchy of Savoy and the city statutes, constraints were introduced to mitigate the excesses of the 'reversal of customs' typical of the Carnival period.
We remember this circumstance as an example of the fact that in Santhià, Carnival, with its traditions and excesses, was already a consolidated custom. Moreover, a document dated 1893, in the possession of the Pro Loco, states that the eighth centenary of the Antica Società Fagiuolesca was celebrated that year, which would allow its existence to be backdated to at least 1093.
