Palio della Contesa in Lugo
Sara Mantovani April 25, 2012After describing the great tradition of the Palio in Ferrara let us show you another Palio, maybe less popular but definitely interesting!
Lugo was founded around the year 1000 AD. After several vicissitudes it became property of the House of Este in 1437; the Ferrarese seigniory had a profound impact on the town.
The “Contesa Estense” celebrated in Lugo nowadays is the historical reenactment of the passage in town of the Duke Borso d’Este on March 13, 1471.
The “Palio della Caveja” was established in 1968; it’s a tug-of-war competition which takes place in the grand square of Pavaglione with four teams of six people each. Since 1978 the event has also included the Palio Sbandieratori (flag wavers) and since 1980 the music event Palio Musici. These events constitute the Contesa Estense which takes place annually around the middle of May, when the town’s patron saint S. Ilaro is also being celebrated.
The climax of the event is the Palio della Caveja: the competition is preceded by a parade of around 500 people from the various town wards, all wearing historical costumes.
The trophy of the Contesa Estense is then awarded to the town ward which has done best overall in the various competitions.
Here the program
April 27 opening of the feast and concert in the church of Santa Maria, 21.00.
April 28
18.00, Feast of San Francesco da Paola: religious celebrations with processions in the town centre;
21.00, concerts by local bands.
During the day, in Via Garibaldi, bouncy castle.
April 29
10.30, parade in historical costumes, Rione Cento;
11.15, religious celebration in the church of San Francesco di Paola (Via Garibaldi);
15.00, 3rd Palio di San Franceschino with medieval costumes (Pavaglione); opening of the feast in the Rione Cento with children entertainment; 21.00, concerts by local bands.
During the day, in Via Garibaldi, street market.
Holy masses at 9.00 - 10.30 – 11.15 – 18.00.
April 30 concerts by local bands, 20.15.
May 2 film screenings at cinema San Rocco, 21.00.
May 4 string concert with music by: Haydn, L.van Beethoven, Mendelssohn, in the church of Santa Maria, 21.00.
May 9 film screenings at cinema San Rocco, 21.00.
May 12
21.00, historical parade restaging the passage of Borso d’Este in Lugo on March the 13th 1471 on his way to Rome, where he was given the title of Duke of Ferrara, in the stronghold.
May 13
16.00, XXXIII Palio dei Musici: 33rd musicians’ palio;
20.30, XXXV° Palio degli Sbandieratori: 35th flag weavers’ palio, in the Pavaglione.
May 14 children events in Piazza Mazzini and Pavaglione, 16.00.
May 15
18.00, religious celebration of Sant’Ilaro with procession and historical costumes, in the church of Carmine;
at 20.30, traditional celebration of Sant’Ilaro, Piazza Trisi.
May 20
15.30, costume parade, piazza Mazzini and Pavaglione;
16.30, award ceremony of the 44th Palio della Caveja and Palio della Contesa Estense 2012, piazza Mazzini and Pavaglione.
