Historical Re-enactment on the Birth of the Borlengo of Guiglia

A dive into the Middle Ages at the foot of Guiglia Castle

The Historical Re-enactment on the Birth of the Borlengo of Guiglia is the event that opens the "Maggio del Borlengo" in the Municipality of Guiglia, a village in the Modenese Apennines in the province of Modena, in the heart of the Terre di Castelli area. For an entire weekend, the courtyard and spaces of Guiglia Castle return to the 13th century, bringing to life one of the most fascinating episodes of local history: the siege suffered by Count Ugolino, the event to which tradition traces the birth of the borlengo, the very thin and crispy flatbread that still makes the town famous today.

The legend of the siege and the birth of the borlengo

According to popular legend, the borlengo was born right here during the siege of Montevallaro Castle, in the time of Ugolino da Guiglia and the Grasolfi family who held the manor. Besieged, the defenders managed to resist for a long time thanks to a very poor mixture of water and flour, seasoned with some herbs and cooked until it became a thin, crispy wafer, similar to a large host. From that "mock bread", according to legend, the name "borlengo" would derive. The re-enactment stages this page of history with rigor and passion, transporting the visitor directly into the Guiglia Middle Ages.

What to see during the event

The event transforms the castle into a real medieval village. Among the offerings that characterize each edition:

• Medieval camp set up in the manor's courtyard, fully visitable, with re-enactors in costume illustrating ancient crafts, weaponry, and combat techniques;
• Archery and sword duel trials, with demonstrations and participation opportunities also open to children;
• Guided tours of the castle and its tower, accompanied by guides who tell the history and anecdotes of the manor and its view over the Apennines;
• Games for the whole family inspired by the medieval era;
• Medieval-themed animated lunch, in the company of the count and his court, with traditional dishes and, of course, borlenghi prepared on the spot.

A young but already established event

Born in 2024 on the initiative of Pro Loco Guiglia APS, the re-enactment has quickly established itself as one of the most anticipated events of the Guiglia spring, managing to combine the promotion of the typical product, the borlengo, with the rediscovery of the historical heritage of the Terre di Castelli. The event precedes the historic Sagra del Borlengo, which is held on the following weekends and has attracted thousands of food lovers to the town for over half a century.

Why it's worth the trip

Within the walls of an authentic Apennine castle, the re-enactment offers an experience that combines history, entertainment, and gastronomy. It is the ideal opportunity to discover Guiglia, its village, and its most famous culinary tradition, experiencing a weekend where time seems to have truly stopped in the 13th century.