Visiting Padua, will give you the opportunity to discover the many festivals and popular traditions of Veneto.
Festa del Prosciutto crudo a Montagnana
Prosciutto crudo is an institution of the Venetian culinary tradition, and obviously a special event has been dedicated to this delicacy, the Festival of prosciutto crudo in Montagnana, which usually takes place in May. There are several stands of the local ham factories, as well as cheese stands, pastry shops and a Gourmet hall available upon reservation.
Palio dello Sparviero
During June you cannot miss the Palo dello Sparviero, one of the oldest historical re-enactments of Padua. It is a three-day festival that will make you dive into the past among ladies of the court, jesters, banquets, shows, theatres and jugglers. You will also attend the duel at the pit of San Martino of the four villages, for the conquest of the Sparviero. The festival continues until late, and is accompanied by wine and meat at will.
Giostra della Rocca, photo by giostradellarocca
Giostra della Rocca
During your late summer trip to Veneto you cannot miss a visit to the Giostra della Rocca, in Monselice, an important event created to commemorate the passage of Emperor Frederick II of Swabia. Chess competitions, medieval markets and skill competitions will not be amiss. You can also attend the traditional historical procession that can count more than a thousand participants, the dispute of the Quintana, the equestrian race and finally the delivery of the Palio. You can watch the final game of “living” chess, archery competitions, relays and the race of the millstone. Very interesting, as well as evocative, the competition of drums.
Voci dall’Evo di Mezzo, photo by annoeuropeo2018.beniculturali
Voci dall’Evo di Mezzo
Every fourth weekend in September the town of Cittadella, in the province of Padua, hosts a very special event called “Voices from the Middle Ages”. It is an evocative historical re-enactment that has its setting in the thirteenth century, which is one of the periods that best suits the urban layout of the town, its monuments and its important walls. You can browse through medieval markets, play historical games, enjoy the performances of jugglers and jesters, attend performances staged in streets and squares. You can also try the Medieval Tavern, which you will always find open, where historical delicacies made with typical local products are served.
