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Love, which quickly seizes a gentle heart, took hold of him for the fair body that was taken from me; and the manner still offends me. Love, which excuses no one loved from loving in return, seized me so strongly with delight in him, that, as you see, it does not leave me even now. Love led us to one death. Caina awaits the one who quenched our lives.
Dante Alighieri, Comedia, Inferno
FRANCESCA
Francesca da Polenta, daughter of the lord of Ravenna and Cervia, in 1275 was given in marriage to Giovanni Malatesta. To avoid the possible refusal of the young Francesca, the powerful lords of Rimini and Ravenna devised a deception. They sent Paolo the Handsome, his brother, to Ravenna. Francesca joyfully accepted the marriage without knowing that Paolo was marrying her by proxy.
GIANGIOTTO
Giovanni Malatesta, known as Giangiotto, was much less charming than his brother Paolo, and he was also lame. Francesca, over time, resigned herself, had a daughter, Concordia, and tried to brighten her sad days as best she could. Paolo, who had estates near Gradara, often visited his sister-in-law and perhaps regretted having taken part in the deception!
PAOLO
One day in September 1289, Paolo passed through Gradara on one of his usual visits, and his brother, suspicious, was warned. Every morning Giovanni would leave for Pesaro to fulfill his duties as Podestà, returning late in the evening. That day he pretended to leave and, while the lovers were ecstatically reading the story of Lancelot and Guinevere, they exchanged a chaste kiss: Giangiotto caught them.
THE TRAGEDY
Blinded by jealousy, he drew his sword: Paolo tried to escape through the trapdoor near the door but, it is said, his clothes got caught and he had to turn back and, while his brother was about to run him through with his sword, Francesca stepped in front of him to save him and they were both killed. Immortalized by Dante in the Comedia, even today their love story, shrouded in mystery, fascinates thousands of people.
IDEA AND PURPOSE OF THE GAME
A fun adventure within the mighty walls and in the palaces of power of the medieval village of Gradara, for 3/5 players aged 8 and up. Each player leads a noble and important family, one of the most famous between the 15th and 16th centuries, who fight for control of the most important places in the village by influencing the personalities who govern them, while paying attention to the secret of two young lovers...
INGREDIENTS
The package contains the rulebook in Italian and English and 80 cards including: 5 Families, 1 Giovanni Malatesta, 15 Seals, 24 Personalities, 8 Locations, the Castle, 3 Roads, the Square, 5 Assassins, 14 Events, the First Player marker and, of course, Paolo and Francesca; it is completed by 5 pawns and 25 tokens in 5 different colors.
The first edition of Paolo e Francesca was promoted by the Municipality of Gradara and funded by entrepreneurs from the historic center, but it has completely sold out, so it is currently no longer available for sale.
EXTERNAL LINKS
©2025 Tiopi srl. All rights reserved. VAT No. 02356600391