Borlengo Festival of Guiglia

The festival that tells the story of Guiglia in one bite

There is a dish that alone tells the identity of Guiglia, a small municipality in the Modenese Apennines in Emilia-Romagna, overlooking the striking Sassi di Roccamalatina and the heart of the Terre di Castelli: the borlengo. The Borlengo Festival, established on April 2, 1967, on the initiative of the local Pro Loco, is today one of the most beloved gastronomic festivals in the Modenese Apennines and in 2026 will reach its 55th edition, scheduled in Piazza Marconi on the weekends of May 23-24 and 30-31.

What is borlengo?

The borlengo is a very thin, almost transparent, and crispy wafer, cooked in a special pan from a liquid batter of water, flour, eggs, and salt. Once ready, it is spread with 'cunza', a pesto of pancetta, lard, garlic, and rosemary, generously sprinkled with Parmigiano Reggiano, then folded in four and enjoyed piping hot. Its earliest known date is 1266 in Guiglia: according to legend, it was created during the siege of Montevallaro Castle, when the besieged residents stretched their meager flour with ever more water. The name itself is said to derive from 'burla' (joke), to emphasize the deceptive nature of a dish made of almost nothing. Since 1999, the Guiglia borlengo has had its own production regulations and is protected by the collective brand 'Tradizioni e Sapori di Modena', established by the Chamber of Commerce of Modena.

What to eat in the square

The absolute stars are, of course, the borlenghi, prepared live by the 'Maestri Borlengai' according to the ancient Guiglia recipe. Alongside them, the festival's kitchen offers:

• Fried gnocco, strictly prepared on the spot;
• Traditional mountain crescentine, cooked to order;
• Handmade ricotta and spinach tortelloni.

One of the most appreciated features of the festival is its attention to inclusion: as part of the regional project for accessible, sustainable, and inclusive tourism, the Pro Loco sets up a zone entirely dedicated to those with celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or who follow vegan dietary choices, where borlenghi, crescentine, and fried gnocco are also served in gluten-free and vegan versions, prepared fresh on-site with complete safety.

Music, market, and castle

The festival is not just about food. On Saturday evenings, the square comes alive with live music, while Sundays, in addition to lunch and dinner service, feature the arts and crafts market along the village streets, bouncy castles for the little ones, and guided tours of Guiglia Castle, offering a splendid view of the Panaro valley and the Sassi di Roccamalatina Regional Park.

Organized by Pro Loco Guiglia APS, the Borlengo Festival is a perfect opportunity to discover an authentic corner of the Modena Province Apennines, amidst ancient flavors, hilly landscapes, and the hospitality of a town that has made its borlengo a symbol.