La Dama Castellana

A fascinating historical reenactment, the Living Checkers, is held in the town of Conegliano on the third weekend of June. The event re-enacts the dark times of Conegliano and the disputes between feuds and feudal lords, particularly June 15, 1233, the day of the memorable victory of the Coneglianesi over the Trevigiani. During the days of the festival there is a ceremony for the blessing of the Gonfaloni, the historical procession of the Dama Castellana - accompanied by music, drums, dances and flag-waving performances. The most eagerly awaited moments of the re-enactment are the special competition of the "living checkers" - a game of a checkers performed by figurants - and the "Renaissance Dinner," set up in the cloister of the Former Convent of St. Francis and by which the Italian Renaissance culinary tradition is enhanced. The dinner is enlivened by shows and performances by flag-wavers, minstrels and acrobats.