Como Lake Guide (EN)

Palio del Baradello in Como (Event)

Castel Baradello
Photo by Maurizio Moro5153 · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

· updated · edited by Franco Milazzo

7
independent sources consulted
39
claims confirmed by several sources
0
points where the sources diverge
confirmed 39 contested 0 single source · not published 67 See the analysis ↓

Como relives the Middle Ages with the Palio del Baradello

Every year, between late August and September, Como turns back the clock to commemorate a founding episode in its history: the visit of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa in March 1159, when the city turned to him to counter Milan's abuses of power. This is recounted by paliodelbaradello.it, the Ministry of Culture's portal for historical reenactments, In Lombardia, QuiComo and Como Zero, all of which agree on the event's historical origins.

The Palio, these same sources explain, was born over forty years ago with the aim of telling the city's history, especially to those who had recently settled there, and has gradually evolved into an event featuring gatherings, tournaments and shows open to both residents and visitors. According to paliodelbaradello.it, the first edition dates back to 1981 and was reportedly a gift to the city from the districts of Breccia, Camerlata, Rebbio and Prestino, though this information comes from a single source.

The 44th edition and the fixed ceremonies

According to paliodelbaradello.it and QuiComo, the 44th edition of the Palio took place from 30 August to 19 September 2024. QuiComo and Como Zero describe in detail the ceremonies that mark the event: on 30 August, in the Basilica of Sant'Abbondio, the votive candle offering takes place, accompanied by the blessing of the banner (QuiComo gives the time as 6.30 pm, while Como Zero, referring however to the previous edition, states 8.30 pm). This is followed, at 3 pm, by the ceremony of the greeting at Castel Baradello, where the Balivo delivers the city's greeting to the Emperor, featuring performances by the Gruppo Musici e Sbandieratori di Tavernola, the dance group Le Dame del Lago and the birds of prey company Ali e Artigli, after which the Balivo orders his captains to swear loyalty to the Emperor. Visits to the castle tower are organized by Slow Lake Como.

Coinciding with the Fiera di Sant'Abbondio, QuiComo and Como Zero report, an encampment is set up beneath the medieval walls between Porta Torre and the Torre Gattoni by the Gualdana del Seprio company, open from 10 am to 6 pm, featuring board games run by Messer Luigi and educational activities on birds of prey.

The Emperor's entrance and the procession

The same two outlets describe the ceremony of the entrance into the city: in Piazza Grimoldi, the Emperor and Empress are welcomed by the Bishop and the Consul, after which a procession moves through Via Pretorio, Piazza Verdi, Via Maestri Comacini and Via Vittorio Emanuele to Piazza Duomo, where the keys to the city are handed over. From the balcony of the Broletto, the Herald reads the Edict of Roncaglia, an episode also reported by the Ministry's historical reenactments portal. The same ceremony includes the appointment of three young ladies as maids of honor to the Empress, the investiture of the Balivo as a Knight of the Holy Roman Empire, and the release of doves by the Empress.

The Grand Historical Procession, according to QuiComo and Como Zero, sets off at 2.30 pm from the Ippocastano area and passes through Via Aldo Moro, Via XX Settembre, Via Milano, Piazza Vittoria, Via Carducci, Via Paolo Giovio, Piazza delle Medaglie d'Oro and Via Vittorio Emanuele. It involves all the participating districts and hamlets, the Emperor, the Empress and the Emperor's half-brother Conrad, as well as commanders, knights, archers, nobles and ladies; the Ariete and the Carroccio parade alongside the Sbandieratori e Musici di Tavernola and the Cornamuse della Franciacorta, while young lady Gaia Muscolino performs with her Friesian horse. Medieval delegations from Cantù, Casnate con Bernate, Lomazzo and Lugano also take part in the procession; according to QuiComo, Albavilla was also present in the 44th edition, while Como Zero reports that in the 43rd edition the procession ended in Piazza Cavour rather than Piazza Duomo as in the following edition.

The competitions and the Palio Banner

Among the most frequently mentioned competitions, rievocazionistoriche.cultura.gov.it and Espansione Tv list the cariolana (wheelbarrow race), tug-of-war and the Lucie regatta. In the Cariolana race, QuiComo and Como Zero explain, two men per team compete on behalf of Boroughs, Districts or Municipalities, along a route starting from Piazza Duomo and crossing Piazza Grimoldi; according to QuiComo, the 44th edition featured 3 laps, while Como Zero mentions 5 laps in the 43rd edition, along with one lap for the Corsa delle Lavandere, a race reserved for one woman per team according to the same source. At the end of the competitions, award ceremonies are held, the winning district is announced, and the Banner is presented — a silk artifact created each year by local artists: according to QuiComo, the 2024 banner was painted by Como-based artist Jo Taiana.

Side events and family activities

Rievocazionistoriche.cultura.gov.it and QuiComo note that the Palio also includes events that vary from year to year, such as talks on medieval Como, guided tours led by the Società Archeologica Comense, and exhibitions. The Basilica of Sant'Abbondio also hosts a free concert by the Celtic Harp Orchestra, as reported by rievocazionistoriche.cultura.gov.it, QuiComo and Como Zero.

One day is dedicated to children and families: according to QuiComo and Como Zero, it takes place on Sunday from 2.30 pm to 6 pm, with the investiture of young children as knights and ladies, bobbin lace demonstrations by Madama Agnese and the Amiche del Tombolo, tales told by the Pescatori Alpha about the lake's history, and medieval games organized by the Compagnia del Nibbio.

The 2025 edition and future prospects

For 2025, according to In Lombardia, the Palio is scheduled from 29 August to 7 September, based at the Basilica of Sant'Abbondio and various locations across the city; Espansione Tv, however, calls it the 45th edition, describing it as a scaled-down version, "slightly weakened" compared to the past. The same source quotes the association's president, Dimitry Bomparola, as saying that the Municipality of Como "is an integral part of the association", thanking "the Municipality and, in particular, the Councillor for Culture, Enrico Colombo" for their support, and adding: "We couldn't walk alone". Still according to Espansione Tv, for the 2026 edition the organizers have reportedly chosen "togetherness" as their watchword.

Synthesised from 7 articles, 7 independent sources.

What the sources agree on

  • The Palio del Baradello recalls the celebrations organized by the people of Como in March 1159 for the first visit of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa to Como.
    Corroborated by 5 independent sources: paliodelbaradello.it, rievocazionistoriche.cultura.gov.it, in-lombardia.it, quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • The Palio del Baradello was created more than forty years ago to tell the history of Como, especially to those who had recently come to live there.
    Corroborated by 3 independent sources: paliodelbaradello.it, in-lombardia.it, quicomo.it.
  • The Palio del Baradello has evolved into an occasion to relive Como's history with events, tournaments and shows aimed at both residents and visitors.
    Corroborated by 4 independent sources: paliodelbaradello.it, in-lombardia.it, quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • The 44th edition of the Palio del Baradello was held from August 30 to September 19, 2024.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: paliodelbaradello.it, quicomo.it.
  • The ceremony of the offering of the votive candle takes place in the Basilica of Sant'Abbondio on August 30 and is accompanied by the blessing of the banner.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • In the ceremony of the greeting at Castel Baradello, the Bailiff brings Como's greeting to Emperor Barbarossa.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • The greeting ceremony and the visit to the Stone Sentinel at Castel Baradello are scheduled for 3 p.m.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • Guided tours inside the tower of Castel Baradello are organized by Slow Lake Como.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • At the greeting ceremony at Castel Baradello, performances are given by the Gruppo Musici e Sbandieratori di Tavernola, the dance group Le Dame del Lago, and the birds of prey of the Ali e Artigli company.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • The Bailiff orders his captains to swear loyalty to the Emperor.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • Alongside the animal exhibition that closes the Sant'Abbondio Fair, a camp with tents, awnings and medieval craftsmen is set up beneath the medieval walls, curated by the Gualdana del Seprio company.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • The medieval camp of the Sant'Abbondio Fair is set up along the medieval walls between Porta Torre and the Torre Gattoni, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • At the medieval camp, Messer Luigi is present with his board games.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • At the medieval camp, an educational activity on birds of prey is planned, curated by the Ali e Artigli company.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • In Piazza Grimoldi, in front of the Bishop's Palace, the Emperor and Empress are welcomed by the Bishop and the Consul of the city.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • After the welcome ceremony, a procession crosses Via Pretorio, Piazza Verdi, Via Maestri Comacini and Via Vittorio Emanuele to Piazza Duomo, where the dignitaries hand over the keys of the city to Their Majesties.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • From the balcony of the Broletto, the Herald reads the Edict of Roncaglia.
    Corroborated by 3 independent sources: rievocazionistoriche.cultura.gov.it, quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • During the ceremony of the Emperor's entrance, three young ladies, daughters of the city's nobility, are appointed as ladies-in-waiting to the Empress.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • During the ceremony, the Bailiff is dressed and elevated to the rank of Knight of the Holy Roman Empire directly by His Majesty Frederick.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • The Empress releases white doves received as a sign of peace and loyalty.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • In the Cariolana race, two men per team compete on behalf of a Borgo, Contrada or Municipality, for the awarding of the Palio banner.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • The route of the Cariolana starts from Piazza Duomo and crosses Piazza Grimoldi.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • At the end of the competitions, the athletes are awarded, the winning Borgo is proclaimed, and the banner is presented.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • The Grand Historical Parade departs at 2:30 p.m. from the Ippocastano area.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • The route of the historical parade crosses Via Aldo Moro, Via XX Settembre, Via Milano, Piazza Vittoria, Via Carducci, Via Paolo Giovio, Piazza delle Medaglie d'Oro and Via Vittorio Emanuele.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • The historical parade includes all the boroughs, districts and municipalities taking part in the Palio, the Emperor, the Empress and the Emperor's half-brother Conrad, Count Palatine of the Rhine, along with commanders, knights, archers, nobles and ladies.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • The Ram and the Carroccio parade in the historical procession.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • Among the groups enriching the historical parade are the Sbandieratori e Musici di Tavernola and the Cornamuse della Franciacorta.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • In the historical parade, young lady Gaia Muscolino gives a demonstration of skill and harmony with her Frisian horse.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • Medieval delegations from Cantù, Casnate con Bernate, Lomazzo and Lugano take part in the historical parade.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • At the end of the historical parade, a performance by all the participating groups is scheduled.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • In the Basilica of Sant'Abbondio, a Celtic harp concert is held, curated by the Celtic Harp Orchestra, with free admission.
    Corroborated by 3 independent sources: rievocazionistoriche.cultura.gov.it, quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • Among the Palio del Baradello's competitions are the cariolana, the tug of war and the Lucie regatta.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: rievocazionistoriche.cultura.gov.it, espansionetv.it.
  • Among the Palio's variable events are lecture series on the Middle Ages in Como, guided tours curated by the Società Archeologica Comense, and exhibitions.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: rievocazionistoriche.cultura.gov.it, quicomo.it.
  • The day dedicated to children and families includes the investiture of children as knights of the Emperor and ladies of the Empress.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • On the day for children and families, Madama Agnese and the Amiche del Tombolo offer a demonstration of their skill.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • On the day for children and families, the Pescatori Alpha tell children stories of the lake and the secrets of fishing.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • On the day for children and families, medieval games are held, curated by the Compagnia del Nibbio.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.
  • The day for children and families takes place on Sunday from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
    Corroborated by 2 independent sources: quicomo.it, comozero.it.

Sources

This content was produced with the help of artificial-intelligence tools and checked by an editor before publication.