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Vigevano's Palio delle Contrade, commemoration of the pastPalio delle Contrade and medieval times have returned again Palio delle Contrade are the famous medieval games taking place every year in Vigevano, a romantic town in Pavia province about 25 miles from Milan. For fifteen years now these medieval game has been taking place, partly in May and mainly in October. The second Sunday of October features a special festive medieval parade honoring blessed Matteo Carreri, Vigevano's patron. This parade recreates the life and the personages of the Sforza Court and appropriately takes place in the Sforza' s Castle yard. There are twelve districts (Contrade) involved that coincide with each of the town’s parishes. These romantic games are a magic historical commemoration of the past.
The beginning of medieval games
This town is referred to as a small jewel of Italian Renaissance where two world famous artists have left their eternal traces; Donato Bramante and Leonardo da Vinci. Besides its parade, it is worth a day’s trip to visit its significant historical Renaissance monuments. It’s important to point out that Vigevano was the historical shoe district in Italy and is still the most important town in Italy for footwear manufacturing generally. The most significant places to visit: The Sforza Castle is a rural castle dating back to 1300. Over the years it was enlarged in two important stages. Donato Bramante and Leonardo Da Vinci contributed to the magnificent aspect of the castle that we admire today. The Falconiera designed by Donato Bramante is an open gallery that features 48 columns. This falcondry was the place where falcons and hawks were bred and trained to hunt.
The Bramante tower The Bramante Tower is situated at the town’s highest point with a wonderful view over the square, the castle and the town. Started in 1198 it was completed by Donato Bramante around 1494. The Piazza Ducale and St. Abrrogio Cathedral are both Vigevano's main attractions. The piazza is one of the finest in Italy built under the leadership of Ludovico il Moro.(Ludovico Sforza) Vigevano is a town I recommend as a “must see” on your romantic tour of Milan and Pavia province. If you happen to visit in October on the 2nd Sunday and go to see the Palio delle Contrade I guarantee that you will never forget the experience.
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