Contea — Scents of European Culture

Gorizia's Birthday

There is a date that Gorizia does not forget: April 28, 1001, when Emperor Otto III, in a solemn document, first mentioned the name "Gorizia", marking the beginning of the history of the County of Gorizia. From that document, Contea — Scents of European Culture was born, the festival with which the city celebrates its birthday every spring through historical re-enactments, culture, and food and wine.

A Medieval Village in the Public Gardens

The heart of the event is the medieval village set up in the renovated Public Gardens, animated by dozens of re-enactors: jesters, fire-eaters, musicians, dancers, falconers, and flag-wavers populate the stands and period markets. For children, there are dedicated workshops — paper, mosaic, coin minting, wooden games — and the "GO de Cercar" treasure hunt through the city streets.

The Castle and the Lombard Camp

During the festival, the Gorizia Castle opens its doors for free, while a Lombard camp is set up in Borgo Castello, recounting the territory's most ancient origins. Guided historical tours lead visitors to discover the bastions, palaces, and the centuries-old history of the border city.

Exhibitions, Shows, and European Culture

Contea is not just re-enactment: the program includes theatrical performances, exhibitions, meetings, and historical seminars, involving the Pro Loco, the Etnos association, and the Borgo San Rocco Traditions Center, under the patronage of the Municipality of Gorizia. A festival that tells the European and Central European dimension of Gorizia, a city where history has always been a bridge between cultures and nations.