Event Name: PALIO OF ISOLA DOVARESE
Where: ISOLA DOVARESE - a small town located in the province of Cremona
When: the first week-end in September
What: 4 districts enemy. Among the residents of four districts it has always been a heated rivalry and during the palio the districts square off in a series of popular historical games : the stroke of the cock, the race with stilts and one called the màgher in the dialect of the place.
This year falls the fiftieth anniversary of the Isola Dovarese's Palio.
I used to go for the event, and I would like to share with you informations and photos about it.
It's a real jump back in time : the town transforms it self in a old village where everything is reconstructed as we were during the Renaissance period. Spaces, objects, writing, details, foods, people and their costumes give that feeling.
There are tavern where you can eat simple and traditional food like soups, bread and cured meats, combined by a glass (or a carafe) of red wine. Plates and glasses are made of earthenware and there are not cutlery, but only a wooden spoon...and of course, your own fingers!
There is no electricity, but only lighting fire.
Streets are covered by straw.
You can change your money in copper coins, called quattrini that representing the currency of the event.
There are a market composed of many stalls where goods, raw materials, and work tools are historic. Shoemakers, blacksmiths, engravers, women spinning, the servants, the merchants, and artisans in general show their own works and you can buy them. Each of the four districts has its own market.
There is a "field of archers" where they have rebuilt their encampments and where people can participate in games with bows and arrows.
In the main square of the town is prepared a table for the big dinner on Saturday evening, called convivio, that specifies a special dinner that in past times was reserved for the nobles. Nowadays anyone can book his place at the banquet and for diners is realized a performance in costume.
I hope to be able to let you into the atmosphere of the Palio, even if only through the imagination!
If someone will be in Italy the next September, I recommend to go to the event of the Palio of Isola Dovarese.
I am sure, you will be amazed!
Photos are taken by my iPhone 5
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