Historic Carnival of San Matteo della Decima

Where: San Matteo della Decima - 40017 San Giovanni in Persiceto (BO)

When: February 8 and 15, 2026

San Matteo della Decima (10 km from San Giovanni in Persiceto) hosts the historical contest among the carnival floats for the coveted “Gonfalon of King Fagiolo of Castella”, the comic stock character of this Carnival.

Before becoming king, Fagiolo of Castella was once part of the common people: thanks to his characteristic way of dressing up as well as his impudent but friendly roguish tricks, he represents all Bolognese rascals.

The contest culminates in the spillo (al spéll in Bolognese dialect), or transformation, in the main square of the town: allegoric floats undergo a real transformation in shape and colors through which they reveal an hidden meaning.

Traditional recitation of zirudelle, rhyming dialect poems that introduces people to the "spillo", makes this Carnival even more characteristic and entertaining.