Canelli 1613 – Waiting for the Siege

A city returning to the 17th century

There are re-enactments you watch and re-enactments you live: Canelli 1613 – Waiting for the Siege belongs to the latter. For two days, the historic center of Canelli, the city of Moscato in the province of Asti, in the heart of Piedmont, sheds its modern skin to become a 17th-century village. Squares turn into markets, cellars become taverns, and streets fill with artisans, soldiers, ladies, beggars, and brigands. Visitors don't just watch a show; they step right into it.

The history behind the re-enactment

The event is inspired by the Siege of 1613, when Canelli, loyal to the Gonzaga family of Mantua, resisted the Savoyard troops during the War of the Monferrato Succession. It is a defining chapter for the people of Canelli, celebrated since the first edition in 1992 with thousands of costumed participants. The historical event, suspended in 2017 due to high production costs, has been brought back to life by the Associazione Colline 50: the renewed format focuses not so much on the great battle, but on the daily life of the months preceding the siege, when the rumors of war slowly reached the village and life continued amidst trades, commerce, faith, and fear.

What to experience in the city

• The grand historical market with scenes of daily life: thefts, trials, and even a wedding.
• Military camps and the arrival of war news, with tensions between the citizens of Canelli and those of nearby Nizza.
• Ancient crafts, artisan workshops, and performances scattered throughout the streets.
• Religious processions, beggars, and brigands animating the corners of the village.
• In the evening, the long night of 1613: open taverns, live music, dancing, and traditional folk games.

A community event

The strength of Canelli 1613 lies in collective participation: the citizens themselves dress as their ancestors, bringing authenticity to every scene. Admission to the event is free, designed to welcome residents and tourists into the same festive atmosphere. Everything takes place in the historic center, from Piazza Cavour to Piazza Aosta, along Via XX Settembre, Via G. B. Giuliani, and the streets of Villanuova, up to Piazza San Leonardo. It is also an opportunity to discover the monumental side of Canelli and its famous Underground Cathedrals, the historic Moscato wine cellars that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage vineyard landscape.