Badessa Festival
The medieval historical re-enactment of Ozzano dell'Emilia
About Badessa Festival
A dive into the Middle Ages just a stone's throw from Bologna
Every spring, Ozzano dell'Emilia, a municipality in the Province of Bologna in Emilia-Romagna, dresses up in medieval attire to host the Badessa Festival. The area in front of the Town Hall becomes an authentic medieval village, enlivened by costumed processions, ancient crafts, games, birds of prey, fire-eaters, and historical explanations. It is one of the most heartfelt and popular re-enactments in the Bolognese area, attracting thousands of visitors each year.
The legend of Blessed Lucia of Settefonti
The festival is rooted in a legend deeply connected to the Ozzano territory. Around the year 1100, in a Bologna inflamed by the struggles between Guelphs and Ghibellines and the climate of the Crusades, the fame of the beauty of Lucia, abbess of the Camaldolese monastery of Stifonti (Settefonti), reached the Bolognese condottiero Count Diatagora Fava, known as Rolando. From here begins the tale of the legendary love between the abbess and the knight, the heart of the entire re-enactment: the pageant, the terzieri (districts), and the shows revolve around this story that intertwines faith, passion, and battles.
The three terzieri
During the weekend, the town is divided into three terzieri that compete in games: the blue terziere (the liberation of Knight Rolando), the red terziere (the blood shed in battles), and the green terziere (the plain and its products). The rivalry between the three districts culminates in the Palio dell'Oca, the traditional game that awards the festival's trophy.
What to see and experience
- Historical pageant in costume that winds through the town's streets to the church of Sant'Ambrogio for a blessing with the relics of Blessed Lucia;
- Medieval market with stalls of ancient crafts, armor, swords, crossbows, horns, and lanterns;
- Falconry shows with birds of prey, flag-waving performances, jugglers, and fire-eaters;
- Palio dell'Oca games between the terzieri and themed evening shows;
- Fireworks display to close out Sunday.
A community-organized event
The Badessa Festival is organized by the Pro Loco of Ozzano dell'Emilia with the patronage of the Municipality, and involves dozens of volunteers, participants, and historical groups each year. Since 1985, it has grown to become an identity-defining event for the entire Ozzano community and a benchmark for medieval historical re-enactment enthusiasts throughout Emilia-Romagna.
Badessa Festival — edition 2026
The 41st edition of the Badessa Festival took place on May 30 and 31, 2026, once again transforming the area in front of the Ozzano dell'Emilia Town Hall into a medieval village. Among the highlights were the historical presentation curated by Jari Lanzoni, bird of prey shows, the historical pageant with a blessing of the relics of Blessed Lucia at the church of Sant'Ambrogio, the terzieri's challenges in the Palio dell'Oca, and the evening show "Memorie Intagliate: le Quattro Ali della Badessa". The edition concluded on Sunday evening with the traditional fireworks.
Programme Badessa Festival 2026
Saturday, May 30
- 10:00 AM — Archeo-trekking from Claterna to San Pietro (archaeological walk)
- 2:00 PM — Opening of exhibitions, medieval market, and stalls of ancient crafts
- 5:00 PM — Historical presentation "How the mercenary companies graze" by Jari Lanzoni
- 5:00 PM — "Traces upon traces": guided tour of the Borgo di San Pietro with a conference on Roman roads by Prof. Antonio Gottarelli (UNIBO)
- 6:30 PM — Bird of prey show
- 6:30 PM — Arrival of the historical pageant at Sant'Ambrogio with blessing and relics of Blessed Lucia
- 7:30 PM — Arrival of the historical pageant at the field and greeting by authorities
- 8:00 PM — Start of shows
- 9:20 PM — Palio dell'Oca games
- 9:50 PM — Show "Memorie Intagliate: le Quattro Ali della Badessa"
Sunday, May 31
- 2:00 PM — Opening of exhibitions, medieval market, and stalls
- 3:00 PM — Afternoon activities: children's games, men-at-arms, flag wavers
- 4:00 PM — Market of associations and creatives
- 5:00 PM — Bird of prey show
- 5:00 PM — "Traces upon traces": guided tour of the exhibition on the Silk Road
- 6:00 PM — Historical presentation "The cursed technique: the story of the Jarnac blow" by Jari Lanzoni
- 9:00 PM — Arrival of the historical pageant at the field and start of evening shows
- 9:30 PM — "Memorie Intagliate: le Quattro Ali della Badessa"
- 10:15 PM — Palio dell'Oca awards ceremony and final thanks
- 10:30 PM — Closing celebration with fireworks display
Highlights Badessa Festival 2026
Prices Badessa Festival 2026
Practical information — Badessa Festival
Where
Area in front of the Town Hall (Piazza Allende) of Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), with events also in the Borgo di San Pietro and the surroundings of Settefonti.
How to get there
By car: Ozzano dell'Emilia exit from the SS9 Via Emilia, about 15 km from Bologna. By train: Ozzano dell'Emilia station on the Bologna-Rimini line. For events in the Borgo di San Pietro, a free shuttle service from the Town Hall area is usually provided.
Admission
Access to the festival and shows is free. Some side activities (guided tours, themed dinners) may require a contribution.
When
The event traditionally takes place on a weekend at the end of May.
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Where does it take place — Badessa Festival
Area davanti al Municipio e Borgo di San Pietro
Piazza Allende, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia