The Este Carnival

Folklore and festivals

The atmosphere of the Este masquerades will arise: after almost five hundred years, the amazing Carnival of Ferrara Court is organized in the very heart of Italian Renaissance.

On the occasion of the Carnival of the Este you can meet courtiers, ladies, princes, storytellers and knights in the streets of the old town, in the squares, in the Renaissance palaces and within the walls of the mighty Castle. The rich variety of opportunities for entertainment and tasting of local gastronomy in the context of scenarios made up of prestigious architecture and monuments – sumptuously set up by the historical reenactors of the “Palio di Ferrara” – is organised by the “Contrade” (or districts), which host tourists and masks in their venues in dinners, banquets, aperitifs and shows inspired by the festivals held in the city during the carnivals of the 15th and 16th centuries. As in previous years' editions, the playful and gastronomic initiatives are complemented by theatrical performances, pantomimes and dances by the historical dance groups of the Palio’s districts, as well as further shows and animations in squares.

Timetable

This year the Este Carnival pays tribute to one of the most influential men from the Renaissance in Ferrara: Pietro Bembo. A rich program runs from February 28th to March 2nd to celebrate this historic carnival and discover Este family's "volgar lingua".

SATURDAY 1 FEBRUARY

5pm, Piazza del Municipio

Along with guards, musicians and standard bearers, Duke Alfonso I d'Este will walk along Corso Martiri della Libertà, climb up the Clock Tower and attend the exposure of the "mascherone di Begosso". After this, the Herald will read the edict starting the celebrations.

FRIDAY 28 FEBRUARY

5pm - 6.30pm, Sala Estense, Piazza del Municipio

Discussions about literature, history and aristocratic culture.

9pm, Sala Estense, Piazza del Municipio (donations are welcome)

The "Compagnia del Vado" and "L'Unicorno" dance group present "Miles Gloriosus" by Tito Maccio Plauto

SATURDAY 1 MARCH

4.30pm, from Piazza Castello to Piazza del Municipio

Este Carnival Parade

4.40pm, from Piazza Trento Trieste to Piazza del Municipio

Humanist Parade

5pm, Piazza del Municipio

Dancing, tournaments and battles

SUNDAY 2 MARCH

4pm, from Porta Paola to Piazza del Municipio

Este Carnival Parade

4.30pm, Piazza del Municipio

Renaissance feast in honor of Duke Alfonso I and Duchess Lucrezia, and their guests Pietro Bembo and Ercole Strozzi. The public will be offered a traditional dish from the ferrarese cuisine, prepared according to Messer Cristoforo da Messisbugo's recipe. Duel and dancing shows.

6pm, Piazza del Municipio

Reading of the edict closing the carnival