ISOLA DOVARESE

The Palio of Isola Dovarese — province of Cremona — recalls the period of membership in the Mantuan court of Gonzaga. The aim is celebrating the coming of the noble lords to the village with an extraordinary, stately welcoming feast: a three-day event during which many shows follow one after another. The variety of happenings allows people to enjoy every single moment; guests can even take a seat in the grandstands to watch the spectacles on the outdoor stage.

On Friday evening, the Podestà, i.e. the supreme political authority in the late Middle Ages, announces the opening of the festivities. The protagonists of the show are the four Contrade, the districts of the village, with their colours and dresses.

On Saturday, visitors are invited to a sumptuous and scenic banquet prepared according to the Renaissance style. Here you can taste dishes whose recipes are taken directly from medieval treatises, in a fascinating atmosphere of live executions, courtly dances and fire games performed by hundreds of local artists or talented entertainers coming from everywhere.

On Sunday afternoon the four Contrade fight for the Palio. The contest among them is hard, but absolutely exciting. Le Gerre (its colour is blue), Porta Tenca (the yellow one), San Bernardino (red) and San Giuseppe (green) challenge each other: the race with stilts, the rush of the cock and the so-called “magher”, an ancient game.

The shows continue until late at night: comedians, danseurs and jugglers are on stage again and it all comes to end with fireworks. Every year, the Palio offers different things.

 A group of local academic researchers provides helpful historical information taken from the Fifteenth Century heritage. The main topic is Renaissance Theatre with choreographies, scene paintings and masks. Therefore, the feast is always a discover for all those who come and live this experience. Ballad singers, actors and extras but also flag-weavers and standard-bearers are the soul of the event. The electrical lighting is absolutely forbidden: only candles and torches, which create a breathtaking ambiance, are allowed.

Go and have dinner in the taverns to relish ancient flavors, to eat soups in terracotta bowls and ask the innkeeper to bring a jug of spicy wine. Jesters and minstrels will make the atmosphere even more magical, evoking old times with songs and stories.

Le contrade sono: "Le Gerre", "Porta Tenca", "San Bernardino" e "San Giuseppe".