Lavagna (Liguria): The Fieschi Wedding Cake and couples’ game

Lavagna in the coastal town of Genoa, is home to a major annual bachelor party in medieval style celebrating Count Opizzo Fieschi’s last night as a single man. The event commemorates the history of the Fieschi family from Levante who reached the peak of their dynasty in the 13th Century. The festivities start on the evening of the 13th with a banquet and dance in Cogorno, the neighboring town, after the Count arrives on the scene riding horseback to piazza della Basilica dei Fieschi. The following day, the wedding to Siena-born Bianca dei Bianchi calls for a massive town-wide celebration which centers around the gargantuan 2,850 lbs wedding cake also called the torta dei Fieschi.

What makes this celebration of love so special is that it invites guests to also find their soulmate with the gioco delle coppie, or the couples’ game. To participate all you have to do is purchase a ticket, women receive a pink ticket and men receive a blue ticket. For every pair of pink and blue there is one word written on it and after Bianca, the beautiful bride, cuts the wedding cake, you can head to the piazza to find your match. Once found, you can go pick up a slice of the wedding cake together and get to know each other. The evening also includes a Court parade with children, dames, courtesans, prominent historical intellectuals, musicians, villagers, fire-eaters and many more!

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Photo credit: event website