Padenghe Antica Medieval Festival Highlights Art, Events, and Local Cuisine
Today marks the beginning (closing Sunday) of the first edition of «Padenghe Antica», a contest among the town’s districts that takes visitors back in time: court painters, actors, jesters, minstrels, storytellers, flag bearers, tavern keepers, and commoners in a medieval atmosphere.
Three renowned artists are participating in the reenactment: Giuseppina Chiodi, a Mantuan painter who has been residing in Colombare di Sirmione for several years; Damiano Valbusa, from Valeggio sul Mincio (Verona), a figurative painter, living in Lugana di Sirmione; Franco Mora, from Viadana (Mantova), a naive painter specializing in murals.
Artistic activities and exhibitions
The artists will be working in the three main squares (today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. onward). On Sunday, from 8 p.m., the artworks will be displayed to the public in the 18th-century cloister of Palazzo Barbieri, the current municipal headquarters.
From Friday to Sunday, always from 8 p.m., Padenghe will host three moonlit medieval nights (bars and shops will be open until 3 a.m. for the occasion): upon entering the town, the main street will be illuminated by torches showing the route to follow.
Visitors will encounter court painters, jesters, minstrels, storytellers, flag bearers, witches, commoners, and beggars. The districts Monte Pratello and Villaggi Riuniti will set up taverns in Piazza Matteotti and Piazza Caduti.
The former will offer delicious meats and excellent wines, the latter ancient sweets. The Polisportiva and alpine groups, in Piazza Gabriele D’Annunzio, will serve coregone and sardines with polenta, accompanied by local DOC wines (Groppello, Chiaretto, Lugana).
The youth group will handle the drinks. Refreshment points are open from 8 p.m. onward.
Main events
The key events include: tonight at 9 p.m., in the historic center, «Processo alla strega» (Witch Trial). Tomorrow, at 9 p.m., at the Castello, the flag bearers of the Cavalieri di S. Giorgio dell’Abbazia di Chiaravalle will showcase their skills.
At 10 p.m. in Piazza D’Annunzio, the knight tournament for the awarding of the Palio delle contrade. On Sunday, starting at 8 p.m., in the town hall’s cloister, paintings created by the court painters will be displayed.
The event is promoted and organized by the Assessorato allo sport e tempo libero (Department of Sports and Leisure), in collaboration with Polisportiva, the districts of Padenghe, the alpine group, the youth group, the Assessorato alla cultura (Department of Culture), and the Pro loco.
