LUDI DI SAN BARTOLOMEO, A MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL IN THE TOWN’S CENTRE 

Organized by Pro Loco “Oltre il Castello” and the Local Administration, I Ludi di San Bartolomeo is a medieval festival set in the town’s centre on the 24th of August. This St. Bartholomew’s Day, patron saint of Formigine, an it is one of those unmissable events at the end of summer.

With a programme rich in fascinating attractions you will plunge into historical parades, old games, old crafts, ancient recipes and flavours. The Castle comes to the fore with an exciting fireworks display at the end of an event gathering thousands of people, filling up every corner of the centre.

FORMIGINE, STRAW HAT TOWN  

This reenactment, organised by Pro loco “Oltre il Castello” and the local history association “Ezechiello Zanni” and patronised by the Council, is dedicated to straw manufacturing, a thriving production of this area in the XIX century.

Francesco IV in particular started the export of straw hats out the Duchy of Modena. Successful as it was, in 1861 14 samples sent from Formigine were delivered to Florence at the first Exposition of Agricultural, Industrial and Artistic Italian products.

Every year this event commemorates people and  episodes of historical relevance to that period. During the course of the day, you can walk through the exposition of straw manufacturing machines and the straw hat exhibition market.

GREAT XIX CENTURY BALL

A particular breath-taking reenactment is the Great Ball, organised by Proloco “Oltre il Castello”. Dames, in their splendid costumes, and escorts, in their uniforms, stage the elegant dances of the XIX century,   awing the spectators.