Terza de Lui / Madruzzo Festival

The Terza de Lui and the Feste Madruzziane in Calavino

Every year, during the third week of July (hence the local dialect name Terza de Lui, meaning the third week of the month), the village of Calavino, part of the municipality of Madruzzo in the Valle dei Laghi (Trento province), comes alive with one of the most iconic events in the Trentino-Alto Adige region. The festival blends two souls: the popular festival at Parco Nadac, featuring food stalls, music, and community gatherings, and the Feste Madruzziane, an elaborate historical re-enactment that brings the 16th-century era of the Madruzzo dynasty back to life.

The Madruzzo dynasty and the re-enacted history

The cultural heart of the event is the bond between the Calavino community and the Madruzzo family, who for 119 years (1539-1658) governed the ecclesiastical principality of Trento through four consecutive prince-bishops. The symbolic figure of the re-enactment is Cardinal Cristoforo Madruzzo, the protagonist of that golden age. The re-enactment, set in the village and at Parco Nadac, alternates scenes of daily peasant life—featuring ancient crafts and long-lost customs—with the splendor of the Madruzzo court, providing a snapshot of a 16th-century village.

The medieval village, the pageant, and the Palio del Borgo

During the festival, the town transforms into a true medieval village: workshops of ancient crafts, artisans, costumed performers, and scenes of daily life animate the streets and squares. Key highlights include:

• the historical pageant with performers in Madruzzo-era costumes parading through the village streets;
• the Palio del Borgo of Calavino, a competition between historical groups from Trentino, with an awards ceremony attended by Cardinal Cristoforo Madruzzo (portrayed by a performer);
• performances by jugglers, fire-breathers, and entertainment for families and children.

The festival and Trentino flavors

Alongside the historical aspect, the Terza de Lui maintains the convivial spirit of a local village fair: food and wine stalls serving the most traditional local flavors, musical evenings with bands and DJs, sports tournaments, and community dinners organized in collaboration with the Calavino Alpini Group, the local marching band, the Volunteer Fire Department, and the parish.

A tradition born in 1995

The Feste Madruzziane were conceived in 1995 by the local Pro Loco association, driven by the late Father Giuseppe Grosselli. Over time, the re-enactment has been enriched with numerous cultural, recreational, and gastronomic offerings, fostering community cohesion and intergenerational dialogue. After a few years of hiatus, the event was relaunched with renewed energy by the Pro Loco di Calavino APS, which currently manages its organization at Parco Nadac.