Events

Every year, on the second weekend of September, Isola Dovarese steps back five centuries in time. The Palio delle Contrade commemorates the visit of Ludovico Gonzaga and Barbara of Brandenburg to the Dovara family in 1458, when the family were close allies of the Lords of Mantua.

For more than fifty years, this remarkable celebration has transformed the village into a living Renaissance setting. The four historic districts—San Bernardino, San Giuseppe, Porta Tenca and Le Gerre—compete in traditional contests for the prestigious Palio banner. Ladies and knights in period costume parade through the streets, while each district tavern serves dishes prepared according to authentic Renaissance recipes, using only ingredients that would have been available at the time.

The festivities begin on Friday evening with the official welcome of the Podestà by the Mayor. On Saturday, the magnificent Gonzaga square comes alive with theatre, music and performances inspired by the splendour of Renaissance court celebrations, sometimes accompanied by a sumptuous historical banquet. Sunday is dedicated to the competitions between the districts, culminating in the awarding of the Palio and the Favete Linguis banner to the district that has most faithfully recreated the historical atmosphere.

Throughout the three-day festival, visitors can exchange modern currency for the handcrafted Quattrino (copper) and Mezzo Testone (silver), faithful reproductions of fifteenth-century coins. More than a historical pageant, the Palio di Isola Dovarese is a celebration that brings together the entire community. Thanks to the dedication of the Pro Loco, it has become one of Lombardy's most authentic and immersive Renaissance reenactments.