The Conjuring of the Barons in Miglionico

On August 14, the Congiura dei Baroni (Conjuring of the Barons) with the Palio dei Rioni (Palio of the Districts) takes place in Miglionico. It is a re-enactment of an event that took place in 1485, when within the walls of the village's castle the barons gathered to try to find a truce with the King of Naples Ferdinand I of Aragon, who was guilty of increasing the tax burden on feudal lords. The meeting did not have a happy ending, because the king discovered the conspiracy and condemned them to death. From that time the fortress was nicknamed "Malconsiglio Castle." Every year, on the day when that nefarious event is commemorated, Miglionico comes alive with falconry shows, jugglers, horse jousting parades, flag-wavers, fire-eaters, markets and a historical procession that parades through the streets of the center. The festival culminates with a performance of the Congiura, the most anticipated moment of the evening.