Editing Como (section)

===Palio del Baradello: Reliving Medieval Como===

The annual ''Palio del Baradello'' medieval festival is a significant cultural event in Como, bringing the city's history to life.  Held annually, the Palio commemorates the events of 1159 when Como allied with Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Palio del Baradello di Como |url=https://www.paliodelbaradello.it/#fh5co-tab-feature-center3 |website=Palio del Baradello di Como |access-date=27 October 2024 |archive-date=4 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304002504/https://www.paliodelbaradello.it/#fh5co-tab-feature-center3 |url-status=live }}</ref>  The festival recreates the historical context of Frederick Barbarossa's alliance with Como against Milan and other Lombard communes in the 12th century.

Actors portray key historical figures such as Frederick Barbarossa, Henry the Lion, and Beatrice of Burgundy, while citizens don medieval costumes and participate in historical reenactments.  The city is divided into its historical "Borghi" (wards), which compete in various medieval-themed games and contests throughout the festival.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Le Gare |url=https://www.paliodelbaradello.it/gare.html |website=Palio del Baradello di Como |access-date=27 October 2024 |archive-date=3 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303232121/https://www.paliodelbaradello.it/gare.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Palio culminates in a grand parade through Como, with participants in medieval attire, accompanied by animals, wagons, and siege engine replicas, creating a vibrant spectacle that attracts both locals and tourists.

[[File:Palio di Como 2.jpg|thumb|150px|Participants dressed in medieval clothing for the Palio di Como festival]]
[[File:Palio di Como 4.jpg|thumb|150px|The final day parade of the Palio di Como Medieval Festival]]