Banqueting at Court: Theatre at the Table

A Dinner-Show Inside a 993 AD Castle

Banqueting at Court: Theatre at the Table is a theatrical and convivial experience held at Mongiorgio Castle, a rare example of a medieval castle perched at about 216 meters above sea level in the Bologna Hills, in the Municipality of Monte San Pietro (Metropolitan City of Bologna, in Emilia-Romagna). The complex, whose origins date back to 993 AD, witnessed the clash between the Empire and communal autonomies and still preserves traces of churches, a tower, and a drawbridge. After years of neglect, the fortress has been revived thanks to the Castelli in Aria Cultural Academy, the association responsible for its restoration and cultural life.

When the Audience Becomes the Court

What makes this event special is its format: here, you don't just watch a show, you live it. Audience, actors, and diners merge: by taking your seat at the banquet, you enter the theatrical fiction and become a guest of the court. Around the table, theatre, music, and entertainment moments unfold, set in the medieval-Renaissance period, recreated by the Academy based on historical sources relevant to the area.

The Banquet and the Show

The evening combines a medieval-themed banquet served in the castle halls with a theatrical performance and a live concert. For years, the Castelli in Aria Academy has been offering banquets and costumed performances with music, theatre, dance, and audience involvement in games, tournaments, and event simulations, animated by its promoters Maurizio Ferretti and Cristiana Spampinato.

• Themed banquet in the halls of Mongiorgio Castle
• Theatrical performance and live concert
• Costumed atmosphere and medieval-Renaissance setting
• Direct involvement of diners in the scene

A Castle to Discover in the Bologna Hills

The event is also an opportunity to discover a place off the beaten track: Mongiorgio manor, nestled in the green Bologna Hills just a few kilometers from Bologna, is now a small cultural hub hosting concerts, costumed guided tours, and historical reenactments throughout the year. A proposal that combines food and wine, theatre, and heritage, perfect for those seeking a different experience in the heart of Emilia-Romagna.