This gateway to the Mincio Regional Park has clear medieval origins, evident in the remains of the Scaliger Castle built in the 12th century on a hilltop. The walls and crenellated towers form a profile that dominates the historic center. The recent restoration has preserved the castle’s unique polygonal shape enclosed by five towers. Below the castle lies the parish church of Sant’Antonio Abate, inaugurated in 1600 to replace an older church located near the flood-prone Mincio. The church interior features notable works, including a wooden Madonna with Child sculpture, a painting of Saint Sebastian by Flemish artists the Maves brothers, a 15th-century fresco, and an altar piece dedicated to the saint.

A few steps from the castle, you’ll find an ancient washhouse, recently restored and still in use. It is supplied by local springs, keeping the water at a stable 13-14°C year-round. Outside the center, in Mano di Ferro, Forte Ardietti stands out. Built between 1856 and 1861 as part of the Austrian “Quadrilateral,” it’s the only remaining intact fort of a vast system protecting Peschiera del Garda. The visit reveals the remarkable skills and advanced techniques of Austrian engineers. Two typical dishes from Ponti sul Mincio have received De.Co. certification: Strangolini, bread gnocchi with butter, and Fogasin, a unique pastry made from flour and lard, cooked on a grill.

This village, steeped in the medieval history of noble families, has a historic center perched on a hill, highlighting the walls and towers of its ancient castle. Built in the 11th century under Matilde di Canossa, the original complex has a polygonal layout typical of fortified enclosures. Inside the walls stands the small oratory of San Biagio, part of the parish of San Michele Arcangelo. Built in the mid-18th century as a reconstruction of an earlier structure, this church features a striking facade by Ticino architect Domenico Rossi, blending neoclassical and Baroque elements. The single-nave interior retains a late Baroque style with works by local masters Cignaroli and Ugolini. The nearby hamlet of Castellaro Lagusello is a historical and natural gem. This fortified village includes remains of the 12th-13th century Scaliger Castle, surrounded by well-preserved walls and towers. The Castellaro Lagusello Morainic Complex Nature Reserve lies in front of the castle, featuring a scenic heart-shaped lake and the Fondo Tacoli stilt-house site, a UNESCO World Heritage site with remarkable Bronze Age remains. A relaxing walk on a partly dirt, partly wooden path lets visitors explore this area.

Located on the first slopes of the Garda morainic amphitheater, Volta Mantovana has ancient origins, with evidence from the Middle Bronze Age. The present village clearly shows the layout of a medieval castrum. Established around the year 1000 as part of the Canossa defense system, it gained its current structure under the Gonzaga family. Within the imposing walls protected by a moat were a small village, a church, and a fortress surrounding the central keep.

Opposite the castle stands Palazzo Gonzaga Guerrieri, a remarkable Renaissance building built by Ludovico Gonzaga and Barbara of Brandenburg as a country villa. Later donated to the Guerrieri family, it was expanded and renovated. Now housing the town hall, the villa is open to visitors who can explore its splendid interiors, majestic rooms, and gardens. Built over four levels between the 16th and 19th centuries, these gardens are a marvelous example of Italian landscape design. The stables have become a cultural hub, and the former Gardener’s House now hosts a tasting and refreshment point to promote local food and wine. Don’t miss the traditional Capunsei, bread and cheese gnocchi with De.Co. certification.