The legend of the knot of love in Borghetto sul Mincio

Have you ever heard the legend of the Love Knot of Borghetto sul Mincio?

Come with us — we’ll tell you all about it.

It is said that the waters of the Mincio have never been just water. That beneath their surface live beautiful nymphs, ancient creatures, forced by an old curse to sometimes take on the appearance of hideous witches when they emerge from the river to dance along the banks.

It happened on a quiet night, while a camp of soldiers slept not far from the river.
Disturbing figures emerged from the darkness: witches dancing among the sleeping bodies, light yet sinister. Only Malco, the captain, awoke.

Seeing them, instead of fleeing, he confronted them. Discovered, the creatures quickly dispersed towards the Mincio. Malco managed to catch up with one of them, and in a desperate attempt to escape, that figure lost the cloak that enveloped her. Underneath, there was no witch, but a nymph of extraordinary beauty. Her name was Silvia.

In the brief span of that night, love blossomed between Malco and Silvia — sudden and absolute.
At dawn, they were surprised as they promised each other eternal fidelity. But Silvia could not stay. Before the sun rose, she had to return to the depths of the river. Before diving in, she left Malco a silk handkerchief, gently knotted, as a token of love.

The following day, three splendid embassies arrived at the castle of the Count of Virtù. During the celebration, young girls danced in honour of the guests. Among them, Malco recognised Silvia.
Their love had proved stronger than fear: the nymph had chosen to face the tumultuous world of men.The glances they exchanged did not go unnoticed.
They were noticed by Isabella, a noble lady and cousin of the Count, who had long aspired to the love of the handsome captain. Blinded by jealousy, she denounced Silvia as a witch. The party was interrupted and orders were given to arrest the girl.

Malco placed himself between Silvia and the guards, allowing her to escape towards the river.
Then he surrendered, handing his sword to the enraged Count.

At dusk, Isabella joined Malco in the cell where he was imprisoned. Repentant, she sought his forgiveness. But as they spoke, Silvia appeared once more, emerging from the river to save her beloved. Her presence forced Isabella to retreat, defeated. Silvia then offered Malco the only possible way out — not on earth, where there would be no more happiness for them, but in the waters of the Mincio, among the nymphs.

Malco accepted without hesitation.

The two made their way towards the river together. Alerted by the guards, the Count of Virtù pursued them, but was stopped by Isabella, who this time pleaded for respect and understanding for their love. When the Count finally reached the shore, Silvia and Malco had already thrown themselves into the waters. On the bank, he found only the golden silk handkerchief, symbolically knotted: the token of love left by the two lovers.

Today, on feast days, the girls of the area remember Silvia and Malco by rolling out a thin sheet of pasta, cutting it and tying it like a handkerchief, enriched with a delicate meat filling: thus tortellini di Valeggio were born.

Encountering the legend

Valeggio sul Mincio and Borghetto are about 25-30 minutes from the ColorHotel. It is a short distance, which easily becomes a small journey through the landscape.

You can reach them by car, or choose a slower pace: by bike, crossing the territory from Bardolino to Borghetto sul Mincio. About 57 km round trip, just the right amount of time to be surprised by the lake receding into the distance, the countryside taking over, and villages appearing suddenly.

For those who want more comfort and lightness, there are the ColorHotel's electric E-bikes. The journey remains, and the effort feels lighter. From the lake to the river, from the present to a story that continues to speak.