After the victory in the Battle of Zappolino between Modena and Bologna, the Modenese reached the walls of Bologna. Against all odds, however, they did not lay siege to the Guelph city (the siege of a large city in the 14th century was not an easy thing to organize anyway). Instead, three palio races were held as a sign of defiance to the Bolognese: one for Azzo Visconti of Cremona, one for Passerino of Modena, and one for the Este marquises.
