The Banquet of Chestnuts: A Perverse Pastime at the House of Borgia?

On October 30, 1501, the most decadence of festivals occurred in the papal palace of Cardinal Cesare Borgia. A party that his own father, Pope Alexander VI, not only attended but participated in. The Banquet of Chestnuts was rumored to contain decadent food and wine, invigorating music and dance, and an unending orgy with Rome’s most exclusive courtesans known as the “Cortigiana.”

It is said that all clergy were required to enjoy indulgences and participate in the pope’s fetish for male virility in sexual ejaculative prowess. This sinful part took place the day before All Hallows (Halloween), which was a sanctified holiday dedicated to the dead. 

This night in October 1501 became the most infamous party known as the Banquet of Chestnuts, due to the acts of the dancing courtesans picking up the chestnuts thrown on the floor by the eagerly perverse attending clergymen. And it’s a decadent party that is still gossiped about today!

A black and white view of Roman decadence. And the Banquet of Chestnuts is still said to be the most decadent event ever, although only two accounts of the party exist. (Erica Guilane-Nachez / Adobe Stock)