Ancient Festival of Our Lady of Borghetto

The oldest festival in Borghetto

The Ancient Festival of Our Lady of Borghetto is celebrated on March 25th, the day of the Christian feast of the Annunciation, in Borghetto sul Mincio, a charming hamlet of Valeggio sul Mincio in the province of Verona. Known by the local community as the 'Madòna de Borghét', it has always been experienced as a Marian feast and represents the oldest and most defining recurrence of the village.

Nine centuries of history

The festival is linked to the church of Santa Maria, one of the most historically significant buildings in Borghetto. Dedicated to Saint Mary by Benedictine monks at the beginning of the 12th century, from the 13th century it took the name Santa Maria della Masôn—the 'House of the Temple'—when the Knights Templar established one of their Commanderies there. The building was later rebuilt in neoclassical style around 1759. For over nine centuries, therefore, March 25th has been the most important date in Borghetto's history.

Borghetto, village of the mills

The festival takes place in one of Veneto's most beloved locations: Borghetto sul Mincio, famous for its ancient watermills and listed among the most beautiful villages in Italy. The Marian feast of the Annunciation inextricably links the community to its history and landscape, in a solemn and deeply felt atmosphere.