A land of great traditions

Set against a sweeping background of historical villas, Riviera del Brenta is stage for a strikingly high number of events, exhibitions and performances.

THE HISTORICAL REGATTA OF THE BRENTA RIVIERA

As a vacation destination for Venetian aristocrats of the past, Riviera del Brenta most certainly led its locals to cultivate their burning desire to occasionally travel back in time and take a look at those florid times where nobles from across the globe would sail down the river Naviglio to stay in one of their summer holiday homes, the gorgeous villas. In commemoration of that glorious past, every year on the second Sunday of September tourists and locals alike can watch Enrico III, King of France, cruising the extension of the river Canal Grande up until Malcontenta. The royal vessel is followed by boats of the Venetian nobility and by the Doge.

PALIO OF NOALE

Not only luxurious fabrics, beautiful dresses and swirling laces show the magnificent face of the Serenissima, but also archers, fire-breathers and flag wavers will send you in a time warp back to Medieval times. The ‘Palio’ that takes place in Noale and was held by the aristocratic Tempesta family in the 1339 and 1347 is remembered each year in June with old games and ceremonies such as the foot race between ‘contrade’, the extraction of the ‘bale d’oro’ and the performance that shows the fire of the Rocca, just to name a few, which makes the ‘Palio’ a true Medieval experience.

PALIO DEL RUZANTE

Every year at the end of September, the “Palio del Ruzante” commemorates the century-old traditions of people of the Brenta Riviera who used to transport merchandise and food supplies from Padua to Venice on boats carried by men and horses. The guest of honor is in fact the “Burcio” – the traditional cargo boat that used to be loaded with supplies and was carried by hand by different groups from different towns along the Riviera. This traditional profession has now been transformed into a fun and exciting timed competition that is included among a list of activities, celebrations and commemorations such as the costume parade, theatrical performances, traditional dishes and craftworks of the Palio. The Palio del Ruzante brings together sport competitions and history as it celebrates with creativity a traditional profession that had a significant economic and cultural value for the area. It also celebrates the strong bond with water that connects all the different towns overlooking the river Brenta.

THE GAME OFTHE GOOSE

Every year at the beginning of November, the Goose Fair livens up the town of Mirano. “During St. Martin’s weekend, the city for two days take a step back in time to the beginning of the 20th century and sees the historical centre transformed into a town’s fair at a Belle Époque square,” says Roberto Gallorini CEO of the organisation that plans the event. “Everything contemporary disappears in order to make room for old times characters such as the paperboy and his newspapers, street vendors with unique brews, the craftsman making straw chairs and games and costumed individuals selling everything from food to tools as long as it’s made of or has the shape of a goose. Actors and extras bring the streets of the city centre back to life, while the square is transformed into a mansize board game, with 63 smaller squares and giant dice and pieces thanks to which participants will prove their wit and abilities. An important role is played by local cuisine as the town’s best restaurants engage in a friendly unofficial contest to present traditional goose dishes.

JAZZ & MUSIC

Not only events that celebrate past traditions, but you will be also spoiled for choice when it comes to music and live performances that liven up the hot summer evenings of the Riviera. Such a cultural and vibrant scene might not seem a fit for everybody. Worry not – expert musicologists will take you on an unforgettable journey where you will be able to make small steps into a world of spontaneous compositions and emotions that only jazz music can offer. In springtime Jazznonstop, a festival set against the backdrop of Fiesso D’Artico, will deliver beyond expectations. Different city square of the Riviera will also play host to jazz music, which will amaze the audience with its gentle and soothing sounds from across the globe. Pop and rock music lovers will not want to miss the Mirano Summer Festival that is held every year in July.

Since the 18th century, Noventa Padovana plays host to the traditional October fair that used to be called ‘Autumn Fair’. Through the years, however, thanks to the century-old ties with Venice, the main focus has been around seafood and specifically around octopus that later gave the name to the event. Boil octopus is served with garlic, oil and parsley and can be found in food stalls and kiosks of octopus vendors, that in Venetian dialect are called folpàri (from folpo, octopus). As well as the traditional folpo, it is easy to find a wide array of local seafood specialties such as the “masenette” or “bovoletti”, that are often served with plenty of wine or beer. The event is much more than a foodies-must as it offers a wide range of activities, music and dances that cater for all tastes and ages and draws to its close with a spectacular firework display.

THE REDEEMER FIREWORKS IN NOVENTA PADOVANA

Every year on the third Sunday of July, Venice wears its summer dress for the Festa del Redentore – an event that commemorates the 1577 plague. The most significant night is Saturday, when an exceptional firework display lights up the sky above St. Mark’s Square and entertains tourists and locals lined up by the seashore and crammed on hundreds of boats. In between the two World Wars, Noventa Padovana began celebrating independently the Redentore. The celebrations are characterised by a barge that carries an orchestra along the river and where traditional games, like the cuccagna, takes place. Today, the Festa del Redentore in Noventa has become an unmissable event that features dances, tongue-tickling food and a unique firework display. Locals gather along the banks of the river Piovengo at the gate of Noventa Padovana while tourists take a boat trip from Padua and stop by the river lock to witness the exceptional firework display that lights up the sky.