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The territory around Mantova, located at the heart of the Po plain, looks like
a territory of cultivated fields, marked by rivers and canals ,illuminated from
May to September by water mirrors and rice fields. A landscape, uninterrupted
by the city profile, by numerous noble residences and by country farms composed
by wide farmyards, external ditches and wharfs for boots, once indispensable
for facilitating the transport of rice and cereals. It’s a province that
has already stated its agricultural vocation in centuries and its economic importance.
It also conserves a wonderful cultural and artistic legacy, evidence of the ancient
pomps of the Lords’ courts and of a noble class. The cities show, in most
parts, the medieval and renaissance aspect, and the Gonzaga dynasty, rich, powerful
and erudite, left the most important trace in the territory and, mostly, in the
development of the head city, seat of its court.
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1) Ostiglia
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Ostiglia,
Cornelio square |
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The city of Ostiglia has very ancient origins; from
the excavations carried out in 1722 and 1817, which brought
to light pagan items, it has been confirmed that the
city existed before Christ. In 1151 the Republic of Verona
saw in Ostiglia an excellent defence of its proper estates
and ordered to build a castle.
Following the peace of
Praga and Vienna, Verona, Mantova and Ostiglia passed
to the Reign of Italy.
The
castle of Ostiglia
The visit at the Castle, whose
towers ( Bell tower, Clock tower and Prison tower) can
be seen beyond the ditch and the big external wall, is
very interesting.
On
the background, still attached to the defence structure,
you can see the fortress flanked once by a big tower
whose base is still visible.
Inside the Castle, next to
the Bell Tower, you can see the S. Maria Church.
After visiting the castle you
can walk along the characteristic old porticoes of the
city and visit the parish Church hosting Gianfrancesco
Tura’s masterpiece called "Madonna
with child and Saints " and Foglia Palace, located
in Piazza Cornelio, where are situated the Archaeological
museum and the City library.
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2)
Churches and Parish churches of Matilde in the Mantova province
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Felonica,
Pieve Matildica |
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An interesting “theme” itinerary
is the way leading you through the religious buildings
built or linked to Matilde of Canossa; she was
the last and most eminent of the dynasty which,
between the X and the XII century, formed a state
extending from Tuscany to Lombardy which played
a relevant role in the secular conflict between
the Pope and the Empire.
In this role, the “Great
Countess”(1046-1115)
founded and restored many Churches and Abbeys: The
Abbey of Polirone in San Benedetto Po, the Parish
Church of S.Fiorentino in Nuvolato, the Parish Church
of San Lorenzo in Pegognana, the Church of S. Maria
Assunta in Pieve di Coriano, the Parish Church of
S. Croce nearby Sermide and the Church of the Assumption
in Felonica. |
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3) The
Natural Reserves:
Isola Boschina, Swamps of Ostiglia
and of the Boscone island
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Natural Reserve Isola Boschina
The Reserve is situated
on the isola Boschina in front of Ostiglia, in the Po
bed, and is easily reachable by boot or, during dry periods,
by crossing the path linking it with the river banks;
the “Boschina” comprises
an edge of the ancient wood extending on the entire Po
plain. The vegetation is rich of farnie ,elm-trees, ash-trees,
white and black poplars and willows and hosts a particularly
rich avifauna. On the island you can find, among the
other passing or nesting species: the green woodpecker,
the red woodpecker, the cinciarella and the king-fisher.
The visit on the island lasts approximately 2 hours.
Natural
Reserve Ostiglia Swamps
Located between the
municipalities of Ostiglia and Guazzo Veronese in a zone
rich of water for the confluence of the Tione river and
the Molinella Derotta canal, the Reserve is in a humid
zone, recognized at international level under the terms
of the Ramsar Convention. The visit of the oasis lasts
at least 2 hours.
In the oasis nest
at least 19 bird species, like the red heron , the swamp
red bunting, the buzzard and the swamp hawk. The vegetation
is dominated by the cannuccia and the carici, but other
kind of more rare species are also present: the poisonous
water hemlock, the vescica herb and the flowered reed.
The Natural Reserve of the
Boscone island
The Reserve,
located between the municipalities of Borgofranco and
Carbonara Po, has a surface of 200 hectars. It is a fluvial
island on the Po stretch, linked artificially with the
dry land. Always modelled by the erosive force of the
river, is partially covered with a white willows wood accompanied
by salicono and black poplars. The oasis is a natural habitat
for thousands of birds that can be observed at a long distance
with a binocular.
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Useful addresses and
links:
Province of Mantua
Via Principe Amedeo, 30 – 46100
Mantova
Phone:
0376 2041 – Fax: 0376 204334
Internet: www.provincia.mantova.it
e-mail: ced@provincia.mantova.it
Province of Mantua –Turist Board
Piazza
Mantenga, 6 - 46100 Mantova
Phone: 0376 328253
Fax: 0376 363292
Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Via Calvi, 28 – 46100 Mantova
Phone: 0376 2341
Fax: 0376 234234
Commune of Ostiglia
Website: www.comune.ostiglia.mn.it
Riserva Naturale Isola Boschina
Regional Forest Body
Phone: +39 02 205771
Other
Links:
www.parks.it
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The Mantuan gastronomic tradition arises from the promotion
of local products and from the inventiveness of folk
and court recipes, more and more delicious as years went
by.
Among the first courses are famous pumpkin tortelli;
agnolini soup (a traditional Christmas Eve dish); ”capunsèi” (made
of eggs and breadcrumbs) or patatoes gnocchi; and also ”bigoi” (country
spaghetti, made of pressed soft wheat and eggs, seasoned
with anchovies). Then the risottos: the best known is ”alla
pilota” cooked in the manner of rice-husking workers
(boiled in water and seasoned with salami and Parmesan
cheese); or “col puntel”, with pork chop.
The
second courses: pike in its sauce served with polenta,
ditch prawns, eel, donkey stew and quality sausages as
Mantua salami or typical morainic hills prosciutto.
Last
but not least, plain and substantial sweets: sweet polenta ”fiapon“; “sugol “;
white flour and must pudding; “sbrisolona“.
Typical
Mantuan dishes match perfectly with local wines, among
them the well-known DOC Garda Colli Mantuani and Lambrusco
Mantuano DOC. The Mantuan winegrowing boast a centuries
old history.
Useful addresses
and links:
Province of Mantua
Via Principe Amedeo, 30 – 46100 Mantova
Tel: 0376 2041 – Fax: 0376 204334
Internet: www.provincia.mantova.it
e-mail: ced@provincia.mantova.it
Province of Mantua –Turist Board
Piazza Mantenga, 6 - 46100 Mantova
Phone: 0376 328253
Fax: 0376 363292
Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Via Calvi, 28 – 46100 Mantova
Phone: 0376 2341
Fax: 0376 234234
Commune of Ostiglia
Website: www.comune.ostiglia.mn.it
Other Links:
www.buonalombardia.it
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In Mantua and the province, all the year long take
place the events deeply rooted in the history and culture
of the region. Here are some of them:
Goffredo Castle,
February, Carnival
During the traditional
Carnival masked parade of Goffredo Castel, are served
the typical gnocchis of Mantua. At the end of festivities
the “King of Gnocchis” is
crowned.
Castle of Ario, Ash Wednesday, Bigolada
The Castle of
Ario Bigolada takes place on Ash Wednesday and opens
the Lent celebrations. On the main square of the village
are cooked big quantities of spaghettis, precisely the “bigoi“,
seasoned with anchovies and distributed to all participants.
Mantua, 18th
of March, S. Anselmo Fête
During
the Fête of S. Anselmo, the patron saint
of Mantua, the saint’s mortal remains are exposed
in the cathedral for the congregation’s worship.
Mantua,
Good Friday, Sacred Vessels Exhibition
In Mantua,
on the Good Friday, the Bishop opens to the public the
Sacred Vessels containing the Precious Blood of Christ,
kept in the crypt of S. Andrea Basilica.
Castle
of Ario, May, Rice fair
In May in Castle of Ario
takes place a large tasting of local risottos and typical
rice cooked ”alla
pilota.”
Roncoferraro, May, Fish fair
Roncoferraro in May organize
a tasting of dishes prepared with freshwater fish.
Useful addresses and links:
Province of Mantua
Via Principe Amedeo, 30 – 46100 Mantova
Phone: 0376 2041 – Fax: 0376 204334
Internet: www.provincia.mantova.it
e-mail: ced@provincia.mantova.it
Province of Mantua –Turist Board
Piazza Mantenga, 6 - 46100 Mantova
Phone: 0376 328253
Fax: 0376 363292
Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Via Calvi, 28 – 46100 Mantova
Phone: 0376 2341
Fax: 0376 234234
Commune of Ostiglia
Website: www.comune.ostiglia.mn.it
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The Wildlife Reserves of Boschina Island, Marshes of
Ostiglia and Boscone Island, are just some instances
among areas of great naturalistic worth in the Province
of Mantua.
The water is the main element here and its
protection is fundamental for the region, as shows the
creation in 1984 of the Mincio Park.
Useful addresses and links:
Boschina Island Wildlife Reserve
Regional
Forest Body
Phone: 02 205771
Mincio Park
Via Marangoni, 36 – 46100 Mantova
Phone: 0376 362657
Website: www.parcodelmincio.it
Province of Mantua
Via Principe Amedeo, 30 – 46100 Mantova
Phone: 0376 2041 – Fax: 0376 204334
Internet: www.provincia.mantova.it
e-mail: ced@provincia.mantova.it
Province of Mantua –Turist Board
Piazza Mantenga, 6 - 46100 Mantova
Phone: 0376 328253
Fax: 0376 363292
Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Via Calvi, 28 – 46100 Mantova
Phone: 0376 2341
Fax: 0376 234234
Commune of Ostiglia
Website: www.comune.ostiglia.mn.it
Other
Links:
www.parks.it
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Address:
Statale Abetone 12, Km. 239
46835 - Ostiglia
Mantova (MN)
Lombardia
Phone: +39 0386 3031
Website: www.endesa.it
Guided tours upon request.
Phone:
+39 0386 303255 |
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The power plant is located in Province of Mantova, on left shore of Po River,
immediately close to the bult-up area of Ostiglia.
In 2002 started the plant’s transformation into a combined cycle production.
This modification, besides considerably bettering the output, will lead to the
only work on natural gas and significant improvement of an environmental impact.
How to get there:
SS 12 Abetone - Brennero km. 239
Phone: +39 0386 3011
The plant is located near to the bult-up area of Ostiglia on left shore of Po
River.
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