Playable Scale Model of Medieval Gradara Fortress Unveiled at London War Game Event
On April 13, 2024, the Salute! event, held at the Excel Centre in London, showcased a meticulously crafted, playable model of the fortified medieval village of Gradara, which is the largest war game convention in Europe. This diorama features the Rocca di Gradara and its Borgo Fortificato, designed as an interactive educational resource. The project, which took thirty years to complete, began during the Gradara Ludens festival in the early 1990s. Constructed by Oshiro Model Terrain, the architecture was developed in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh's History Game Lab, while miniatures were created by Alan & Thomas d'Amico. The finished model will be exhibited at the Rocca Demaniale di Gradara, overseen by the GioGra association, known for its 30-meter tower and historical events, including a siege in 1446.
Key facts
- A playable scale model of Gradara's fortified medieval village was presented at London's Salute! war game event on April 13, 2024.
- The prototype is an interactive diorama designed for educational use, wargaming, and tourist engagement.
- Development involved the University of Edinburgh's History Game Lab, Oshiro Model Terrain, and Alan & Thomas d'Amico.
- Gianluca Raccagni, Senior Lecturer in Medieval History at the University of Edinburgh, led the innovative project.
- The final model will be permanently housed in the Rocca Demaniale di Gradara, managed by the GioGra association.
- The project originated from the Gradara Ludens festival in the early 1990s, focusing on ludic didactics.
- Gradara's fortress features two defensive walls and a 30-meter tower, making it a well-preserved medieval site in Marche.
- In 1446, the Sforza and Montefeltro families united to besiege the Malatesta-held castle, with defenders resisting for over 40 days.
Entities
Artists
- Gianluca Raccagni
- Alan & Thomas d'Amico
- Federico Mammarella
- Valentina Muzi
Institutions
- University of Edinburgh
- History Game Lab
- Oshiro Model Terrain
- GioGra – Giovani Gradara
- Comune di Gradara
- Excel Centre
- Artribune
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Gradara
- Italy
- Marche
- Edinburgh
- Scotland