Located between the Secchia and Panaro rivers, the territory of Bastiglia extends north-east of the city of Modena. The village is located along the State Road 12, which connects Abetone and Brennero, and it's a short distance from the highways 1 (Modena Nord) and 22 (Carpi).
First established as the rural court of the Counts Cesi of Modena around the 12th century, the town was later occupied by the Visconti who christened it "Bastia" in 1354.
Today, its name – Bastiglia - derives from this word for a fairly commonplace building of the times meaning "fortress”. After several vicissitudes, the town passed into the hands of the Estensi in 1384.
It then saw a florid economic development with the construction of the Sostegno: an octagonal basin with sluice gates used to keep water levels constant in the Naviglio and the Mulino.
With its sixteen mills – the Mill became the largest mill in the region. Traces of the water ways can still be seen in the centre of the town in Piazza della Repubblica today.
MUSEO DELLA CIVILTA' CONTADINA (MUC): inaugurated in 1972 in an ancient building of the historical center, the Museum makes available, in particular to young people, tools that allow for the comparison between living conditions and knowledge of the various stages of the development of rural society.
Bastiglia is located in the production area of some of the gastronomic excellences of Modena, in particular Lambrusco di Sorbara, Parmigiano-Reggiano and Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena.
The Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of San Clemente, located in the countryside between Bastiglia and Modena, has a beautiful Greek cross church, with a dome, dating back to the late seventeenth century; in reality since the eleventh century there was a church, rebuilt several times over the centuries.
The Sanctuary, designed by the architect Antonio Loraghi, who also worked at the Sanctuary of Fiorano and at the Ducal Palace of Modena, is in Baroque style and has been enriched over the years with numerous works of art, some of great interest such as the beautiful canvas "San Clemente Papa che venera la Madonna col bambino" by Giovanni Battista Cipriani, as well as dozens of votive tablets, bearing witness the deep bond between the townspeople and this sanctuary.
