Bigolada De.Co.
Quintals of bigoli with sardines distributed for free on Ash Wednesday
About Bigolada
A Tradition Over 170 Years Old
The Bigolada De.Co. of Castel d'Ario, a municipality in the Province of Mantua, is a festival with deep roots: in 2026, it will reach its 176th edition. It takes place on Ash Wednesday, marking the end of Carnival, and is dedicated to the dish that gives it its name: bigoli, the typical local egg pasta, served with sardines.
Free Distribution of Bigoli
The central ritual is the free distribution of bigoli with sardines: quintals of pasta are cooked directly in the square and offered to everyone present. The egg pasta "Le Mantovanelle" accompanies each portion. It's an act of popular conviviality that transforms the town center into a large open-air dining table.
The King Bìgol and Queen Sardèla Competition
The most spectacular moment is the speed competition: participants must eat their plate of bigoli as quickly as possible, without using their hands. The winner is crowned King Bìgol, while the first woman to finish becomes Queen Sardèla. A light-hearted competition that has become the recognizable symbol of the Castel d'Ario festival.
Stalls, Funfair, and Castle
The Bigolada is surrounded by a full day of festivities: stalls along Piazza Garibaldi and Viale Rimembranze, a funfair with rides near the castle, afternoon entertainment, and the release of balloons with children's letters. The Friends of the Castle offer a photographic exhibition at the Palazzo Pretorio and guided tours of the church and the Scaliger Castle, a medieval jewel overlooking the town.
Bigolada — edition 2026
For its 176th edition, the Bigolada will liven up the center of Castel d'Ario on Ash Wednesday. Quintals of bigoli with sardines will be cooked in the square and distributed for free, accompanied by "Le Mantovanelle" egg pasta. The heart of the festival is the speed competition that crowns the King Bìgol and Queen Sardèla. Around this, there will be stalls along Piazza Garibaldi and Viale Rimembranze, a funfair at the castle, entertainment by Radio Pico, and guided tours by the Friends of the Castle.
Programme Bigolada 2026
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
- 10:30 AM–4:30 PM — Photographic exhibition at Palazzo Pretorio (Friends of the Castle)
- From 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM — Free distribution of bigoli with sardines cooked in the square
- King Bìgol and Queen Sardèla competition (eating bigoli without using hands)
- 2:00 PM — Guided tour of the church
- 2:30 PM and 3:00 PM — Guided tours of the castle (two sessions)
- Afternoon — Entertainment by Radio Pico, release of balloons with school letters
- All day — Stalls along Piazza Garibaldi and Viale Rimembranze, funfair at the castle
In case of bad weather, the event is postponed to Saturday, February 21, 2026.
Highlights Bigolada 2026
Prices Bigolada 2026
Practical information — Bigolada
When
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 (Ash Wednesday), from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. In case of bad weather, postponed to Saturday, February 21, 2026.
Where
Piazza Garibaldi and Viale Rimembranze, Castel d'Ario (MN).
Admission
Free distribution of bigoli with sardines. Stalls and attractions with free entry.
Tours
Photographic exhibition at Palazzo Pretorio (10:30 AM–4:30 PM), guided tour of the church (2:00 PM) and the castle (tours at 2:30 PM and 3:00 PM) organized by the Friends of the Castle.
How to get there
Castel d'Ario is located east of Mantua, accessible via the provincial road network; the festival is concentrated in the historic center around the castle.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Bigolada
Piazza Garibaldi e Viale Rimembranze
Piazza Garibaldi, 46033 Castel d'Ario