What is the banquet of chestnuts?

The Banquet of Chestnuts, also known as the Ballet of the Chestnuts, was a scandalous event that took place on October 30, 1501 at the Vatican in Rome. It was hosted by Pope Alexander VI, who was infamous for his corrupt and decadent reign.

The banquet was a lavish and lewd party attended by high-ranking clergy, nobility, and courtesans. It featured exotic foods, drinks, and entertainment, including a performance where naked women crawled on the floor and collected chestnuts that had been scattered around.

The most scandalous part of the event was when the pope's son, Cesare Borgia, and other men dressed as devils and chased after the naked courtesans. It is believed that the participants engaged in sexual acts with the courtesans during the chaos.

The Banquet of Chestnuts became notorious for its debauchery and excess, and it further tarnished the reputation of Pope Alexander VI and his court. The event has gone down in history as one of the most scandalous and outrageous parties ever held at the Vatican.