The origins of gubana are closely related to the life of the people who have lived in the Natisone Valley for centuries, and who know this cake as gubanca (pronounced gubanza, with a soft "g").

The name is probably derived from the Slavonic word guba, meaning fold, in reference to gubana’s form. By tradition gubana is the dessert served at all kinds of communal events of the Natisone Valleys, particularly marriage celebrations.

In 1409 gubana was one the dishes served by the Municipality of Cividale in honour of Pope Gregory XII. A further reference to its origins comes in the first baptismal register of 1612 for the Parish of San Pietro, in which Gubana appears as a surname.

Gubana is formed to a characteristic snail-like shape from sweet leavened dough typically filled with walnuts, raisins, pine seeds, sugar, grappa and grated lemon peel, with minor variations.