Gradara Ludens – Festival del Gioco

Italy's oldest game festival

Gradara Ludens is an event that has made game history in Italy: founded in 1990, it is considered the country's first gaming convention. After more than twenty years of hiatus, it has returned to fill the medieval village of Gradara, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, nestled in the hills on the border between Marche and Romagna, in the Municipality of Gradara (Province of Pesaro and Urbino), with dice, cards, and pawns.

The slogan accompanying the event, "where play meets history," clearly tells its soul: every characteristic corner of the village, from the cobbled streets to the small squares, up to the rooms and courtyards around the Rocca dei Malatesta, hosts tables and stations dedicated to gaming. It is an immersive experience where the charm of the Middle Ages provides the backdrop for one of humanity's oldest and most universal activities.

What to play at Gradara Ludens

The festival is designed for enthusiasts of all ages and levels. In the various locations of the village, there is space for role-playing games, board games, narrative games, tournaments, wargames, Subbuteo, wooden games, and retro gaming offerings. There are also creative workshops, shows, circus arts, kites, and activities designed for families and children. Each edition revolves around a theme that serves as a common thread for the proposed activities.

The Gradara Ludens Award

The cultural heart of the event is the Gradara Ludens Award, an accolade given to those who have made a significant contribution to game culture. Over the years, its history has intertwined with prominent figures in Italian culture, such as Umberto Eco and Stefano Bartezzaghi, testifying to how games are interpreted here as a cultural phenomenon rather than a mere pastime.

An event for the entire village

Organized by the Municipality of Gradara and Gradara Innova srl, Gradara Ludens is one of the identity-defining events in Gradara's calendar and contributes to extending the tourist season, bringing visitors to the village even outside the peak summer period. Admission is free and open to all, and the atmosphere of the Rocca di Gradara makes every game a small journey back in time.