Enchanted Places: Borghetto on the Mincio

Borghetto sul Mincio, a fraction of Valeggio sul Mincio in the province of Verona, is one of the most charming villages in Italy. Located along the banks of the river Mincio, this small medieval village is known for its landscape with ancient bridges and water mills that seem to come from a postcard of another era.
 

Borghetto sul Mincio among the most beautiful villages

Borghetto sul Mincio has been included in the Club of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy.

This village has a rich and fascinating history: its origins date back to the Longobard era, and it has preserved the fortifications from the medieval period.
The symbol of Borghetto sul Mincio is the Visconteo Bridge, built in 1393 by the will of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Duke of Milan, in order to prevent the eastern borders of the duchy from being penetrated.
This bridge, over 600 meters long, connects with the Scaligero Castle in Valeggio sul Mincio.

Walking through the narrow streets of the village, you can admire ancient stone houses, still functioning water mills, the small Church of San Marco Evangelista, and the statue of S. Giovanni Nepomuceno which tradition says protects those who fall into the waters of the river from drowning.
 

The "love knots" of Borghetto sul Mincio

The emblematic dish of Borghetto and Valeggio sul Mincio is the tortellini, locally known as "love knots".
These very thin and transparent tortellini are handmade with an egg pasta stuffed with a delicious meat filling; they are usually served in meat broth or with butter and sage.

According to legend, the love knots represent a token of eternal love between a knight and a river nymph.

It is said that during the period of conflicts between the Lordships in northern Italy, a captain of the Visconti militias, Malco, fell madly in love with a beautiful river nymph from the Mincio River, named Silvia. Silvia was an enchanting creature, half woman and half nymph, and their love, impossible by nature, defied all conventions of the time.

One night, under the moonlight, Malco and Silvia decided to flee together to live their love away from prying eyes. Before leaving, Silvia tied a golden silk handkerchief as a symbol of their eternal bond, creating a love knot. This gesture symbolized their promise of eternal love, beyond every obstacle and border.

S&M