Montecavolo Carnival

The Montecavolo Carnival

The Montecavolo Carnival is one of the most cherished festivals in the hamlet of Quattro Castella, in the heart of the province of Reggio Emilia, in Emilia-Romagna. Affectionately known as "CarnevaLove" due to its timing around Valentine's Day, the event transforms the village streets for an afternoon into a procession of colors, confetti, and joy.

A Family-Friendly Village Festival

The Montecavolo Carnival is born from the collaboration of the entire community: the parish nursery schools "Don Silvio Castagnini" and the municipal "L'albero delle farfalle", the Proloco Matildica, the Garden of San Giuseppe, and the parishes of Montecavolo and Salvarano, with the patronage of the Municipality of Quattro Castella. It is an event designed primarily for children and families, where children and parents build the floats and animate the parade.

The Parade and Piazza del Cantone

The heart of the day is the parade of floats, which starts from the parish church and winds through the center of the village to Piazza del Cantone. Here, the celebration comes alive with performances by the young flag-wavers and musicians "Maestà della Battaglia" of Quattro Castella, a historical group linked to the Matildic territory's re-enactments. There are also masks, games in the square, shows, and entertainment for all ages.

Flavors and Tradition

As with any self-respecting Emilian village festival, good food is also a protagonist at the Montecavolo Carnival: snacks, Carnival sweets, gnocco fritto, intrigoni, and local specialties accompany the afternoon, often with a charitable purpose to support schools and parishes. Small gifts and sweets are distributed to the children.

A Carnival in the Matildic Territory

Montecavolo is located in the district of Quattro Castella, a land linked to the figure of Matilde di Canossa and dominated by hills on which the famous castles stand, including the Castle of Bianello. Experiencing Carnival here means discovering an authentic corner of the Reggio Apennines, where popular traditions and a sense of community are still very much alive.