Saint Contardo of Este was the posthumous son of Aldobrandino of Este, marquis of Ferrara. He was born in 1216 in Ferrara.He renounced to his wealth and position of crown prince of Ferrara to become a simple "God's man" and started on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.He fell ill in Broni (Province of Pavia, Lombardy, Italy) and died there. His body was first buried on the hill where he died.