Monselice Culture

Two cultures sit on top of each other here. The older one is the market town: a lively market every Monday in the main streets, and the fair held each year around 1 November for All Saints, the town’s patronal day, with a food and general market, food stands, a funfair and exhibits.

The newer one is the Giostra della Rocca, held every September and modelled on medieval horse tournaments. It is more than a race: the programme includes archery, a chess tournament played in human form, a musicians’ contest with tambourines and chiarine, flag-flyers, a millstone challenge, and a parade of the town’s nine contrade in period costume.

Above both is the devotional layer: Scamozzi’s Sanctuary of the Seven Churches, with paintings by Palma il Giovane, still walked as the route it was built to be.