Take a land crossed by a majestic river. Everywhere, however far you look, you will see the signs of the culture that the more than millennial relationship between water and man has created. This is in a nutshell l'Oltrepò Mantovano, the only part of Lombardy south of the Grande River Po, between Emilia and Veneto. A unique environment, which recalls slow and light tourism, beyond the usual patterns, able to pleasantly surprise you beyond all expectations.
Oltrepò Mantovano contains more than 9000 hectares of protected territory, divided into eight protected areas (included within a Parks System certified since 2008 with the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism) where up to 300 different animal species can be found. Exploring the Oltrepò until getting lost is easy and pleasant, especially on the bike. The pride of the territory is, in fact, the Parks cycle route: over 270 km of routes dedicated to cyclists with a network of services such as mechanics, information points, rest areas but also free bicycle rental, at about twenty “bike points” activated in farmhouses, farms, hotels and taverns.
But the Oltrepò Mantovano is not alone natural landscape. The territory is dotted with small towns full of abbeys, parish churches and rural courts, where you can experience history and culture. If the monumental complex of the Monastery of San Benedetto Po needs no introduction, you could be pleasantly surprised in front of the Ducal Palace of Revere, the frescoes of the Villa Vescovile di Quingentole or the particular museum proposals, such as the Polironiano Civic Museum of San Benedetto Po, the Truffle Museum of Borgofranco sul Po and the Museum of the Second World War of the Po River in Felonica.
Not to mention the kitchen. A great way to reassure yourself from the daily grind is to sit at the table and enjoy the delicacies that this land, made incredibly fertile by the proximity of the river, gives to its inhabitants. Pumpkins, rice and delicious white truffles, combined with freshwater fish and the countless culinary elaborations that the men of the Oltrepò have invented over the centuries: pumpkin tortelli, the agnoli, the Parmigiano Reggiano, Salame Mantovano, Lambrusco Mantovano DOC The Oltrepò has many renowned restaurants where you can appreciate the traditional Mantuan cuisine but the typical products can also be easily purchased directly from the producers, during the farmers' markets or the many village festivals that often enhance the local specialties. A unique opportunity to take home the taste of the Mantuan Oltrepò.
IAT - Tourist Information Reception of San Benedetto Po and the Oltrepò Mantovano
Piazza Folengo, 22 - 46027 San Benedetto Po (MN)
0376 623036
iat@oltrepomantovano.eu
Oltrepò Mantovano Consortium
Cycle path of the Mantuan Oltrepò Parks
