Valeggio’s Tortellini Festival at Visconteo Bridge Draws 4,000 Participants
This evening (Tuesday, June 20) at 7:30 PM, the “Festa del nodo d’amore” will take place on the Visconteo bridge in Borghetto di Valeggio sul Mincio. In simple terms, it is the tortellino. Now in its seventh edition, it is described as “a moment full of magic and suggestion.” Four thousand people gathered around two long tables stretching over 600 meters, set in the middle of the dike bridge over the Mincio River, famous for scenes from Luchino Visconti’s film “Senso.”
The festival was conceived by one of the most active restaurant associations in the area, comprising about thirty operators. The numbers are record-breaking: 420 chefs and waiters engaged in cooking and serving 600,000 tortellini, handmade one by one. To make them, 500 kilograms of Grana Padano cheese, 10,000 eggs, and eight quintals of flour are required.
On the bridge, 4,000 bottles of Custoza white wine and 650 bottles of brut sparkling wine will be uncorked by 60 sommeliers.
The Event and the History of the Bridge
The event, sponsored by Apt del Garda veronese, the municipality, the Pro loco, and the Association of Merchants and Artisans, has become a tradition. Ticket sales for the next edition start simultaneously with the current festival.
The program includes, at 8 PM, the arrival of clarino players, followed by flag throwers. After brief greetings, cooking begins.
Midway through dinner, a short interruption will be held for awards to three figures who have made Valeggio known: Giuliano Carella, conductor; Vera Meneguzzo, journalist; and an artist selected from the art exhibition held the previous day in Piazza Carlo Alberto.
At 11 PM, the fireworks display will take place. Throughout the evening, period costumes will parade. From 6 PM, a shuttle bus service will be operational.
History and Historical Remains of the Bridge
The dike bridge was constructed by the Duke of Milan, Gian Galeazzo Visconti, who in 1393 connected it to the castle above with two machicolated walls. A fortified system grew, among the most extensive in Europe—a defensive outpost stretching from Valeggio to Villafranca, almost reaching Nogarole, with a length of about 17 kilometers.
The gradual decline began in the 15th century, until the Serenissima ceded the castle to private owners and the municipality, with the obligation of maintenance. Today, only part of the fortress remains public and accessible to visitors.
Summer Events and Markets
Regarding the summer event calendar, after the “Nodo d’amore” dinner, the Beer Festival will be held on June 23 and 24 in the Colonie di Borghetto area; from July 7 to 10, a craft fair featuring creative craftsmanship; from July 15 to 17, the historic Salionze fair, with reenactments, dance evenings, and food stalls; on July 19, music in the square (concert No. 1 by Tchaikovsky and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5), with tortellini and local wine tastings; on July 26, a festival on the wooden bridge; and on July 27, the “Storyville jazz band.”
In August, there will be ethnic music (August 4), cycling events (August 13), a theatrical play (August 18), a homage to García Lorca (August 26). The antique market will take place on June 25, July 23, and August 27, from 9 AM to 7 PM.