The “Battle for the Sword of the Contrari” is a historical reenactment held every year in the historic village of Savignano sul Panaro.
This year, the event will take place on September 19 and 20 and recreates an event from 1409: the granting of the fief of Savignano by Marquis Niccolò III d’Este to his captain Uguccione dei Contrari. The latter, lord of Vignola, had conquered the fief by wresting it from the Savignani family.
During the reenactment, the visual impact of the village in celebration is truly remarkable. Visitors can witness the Marquis d’Este’s court in full splendor, as well as shows, duels, medieval markets with craftsmen, a military encampment, and even a falconry area. Great care is devoted to the costumes of the participants: ladies, knights, jesters, and travelers and to demonstrations showing how families and soldiers once lived, how food was prepared, and how weapons were crafted.
The Palio is the main event of the two-day “Battle of the Contrari.” It sees the town’s six districts compete in games of skill and strength, with the winning district awarded the coveted “Sword of the Contrari.”
