Guiglia: Fortress, Village and Landscape
Accommodation in Guiglia
Guiglia: Fortress, Village and Landscape
Castello di Guiglia is a well-preserved 14th-century fortress surrounded by a characteristic old village. Castello di Guiglia offers views over the course of the Panaro and the plain. The old village also includes the Torre dell'orologio, a clock tower dating from 1535. The dating of the Castello to the 14th century predates its restoration in 1630 and the probable construction of the Oratorio around the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries.
File:Colline del Modenese - Guiglia, Modena, Italia - 2 Aprile 2024 01.jpg
Photo: Giorgio Galeotti via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Montecuccoli and Sacred Buildings
In 1630, the extensive transformation of Castello di Guiglia began: the marquis Francesco Montecuccoli had the old fortress converted into a magnificent aristocratic residence for his family. The Oratorio della Madonnina is located nearby; three Montecuccoli tombs are preserved there. The Oratorio itself was probably built around the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries and converted by the Montecuccoli into a family crypt.
The sacred history of the surrounding area also includes other independent buildings. The church of Pieve di Trebbio, dedicated to Saint John, has been documented since 1163; its origins date back to the 11th century. The interior of Pieve di Trebbio contains paintings and sculptures of remarkable value. The church of San Geminiano near Ponticello was built by Francesco Montecuccoli in 1632. The church of San Geminiano near Ponticello is younger than Pieve di Trebbio, which has been documented since 1163.
Hiking in Sassi di Roccamalatina Park
For those interested in nature and hiking, Sassi di Roccamalatina Park offers trails of varying lengths: its network of paths ranges from short walks to hikes lasting several hours through narrow gorges, forests, rock faces, clearings, cultivated land, chestnut groves and rural settlements. A steep, secured path leads to the 567-metre-high summit of Sasso della Croce. The park can be reached from the Via Emilia via Provincial Road 623 of Passo Brasa. When planning your day, the short walks and hikes lasting several hours in the park differ above all in the amount of time required.
Sassi di Roccamalatina is also a historic nesting site for peregrine falcons and serves as a wintering area for the rare wallcreeper.
Borlenghi and Local Festival Culture
Guiglia also has a distinctive culinary identity. Borlenghi originate from Guiglia. They are a special type of very thin flatbread filled with lard, rosemary, Parmigiano and garlic; this filling is called Cunza. At the Sagra del Borlengo, the Borlengai prepare the borlenghi in front of visitors. The Sagra del Borlengo is associated with the first three weekends of May.
Other Places in the Travel Area
Formigine, Vignola, Pievepelago, Colombaro, Cortile, Romanoro, Pozza, Rovereto sul Secchia
For the broader travel overview: Modena.
