Saint Contardo d‘Este, born into one of the most illustrious medieval families, abandoned luxury to embrace poverty and faith. During his pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, he arrived in Broni, where his earthly life came to a miraculous end. His sanctity, recognised by the people, made him Patron Saint of Broni and the Oltrepò Pavese, turning the Colle San Contardo into a place of devotion.
San Contardo d‘Este, born in 1216 to one of the most illustrious families of medieval Italy, the princes of Este, left an indelible mark on the spiritual history of the Oltrepò Pavese region. Despite growing up in a rich and powerful court, the young Contardo showed a marked inclination towards spirituality and sacrifice from an early age. In 1249, driven by a deep desire for penitence and closeness to God, he decided to undertake the long and arduous pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, a destination coveted by devotees from all over Europe. On his way, together with two companions, Contardo arrived in Broni, a small village on the Via Emilia, where he was struck by a sudden and painful illness.
His request to God to die there if that was his will was granted. Contardo was abandoned by men, but not by a faithful dog that daily brought him bread. He died on 16 April 1249, and immediately extraordinary events occurred: the church bells rang out on their own and his body, despite his suffering, emanated a sweet perfume. These signs convinced the population of the sanctity of the young man, who was buried in the Church of San Pietro in Broni. Over time, the numerous prodigies attributed to his intercession increased popular devotion, so much so that Contardo was proclaimed Patron Saint of Broni and, later, of the entire Oltrepò Pavese.
His sanctification, which took place under the pontificate of Pope Paul V, and the liturgical celebration on 16 April, the date of his death, consolidated his cult. The hill overlooking Broni, known today as Colle San Contardo, houses a chapel dedicated to the saint, a pilgrimage destination and symbol of the faith rooted in that land. The figure of Saint Contardo remains a shining example of how holiness can manifest itself in simplicity and sacrifice, transforming a brief earthly passage into a luminous spiritual legacy.
