A small village on the banks of the Secchia River, Quistello boasts an ancient history dating back to the pre-Roman era, as evidenced by traces of settlements unearthed during archaeological excavations. At the heart of the town, a fortress was built, presumably around the 10th century AD, but it was destroyed in the 18th century by the Austrians following the annexation of these territories into the Habsburg Empire. In the hamlet of Nuvolato, you will find the beautiful parish church dedicated to San Fiorentino, a 12th-century AD structure commissioned by Matilda of Canossa.
The original building had a single nave and three apses at the rear. Two side naves were added at the end of the 18th century, while two of the apses were demolished to make room for the bell tower and sacristy, the latter of which was also demolished in the 1930s. Inside, visitors can admire remnants of frescoes dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries AD.

Quistello is also the birthplace of Giuseppe Gorni, a versatile and significant artist. A soldier in both World Wars, he was active artistically during the first half of the 20th century. His works ranged from drawings and engravings to sculptures. He is also responsible for the mural works, still well-preserved today, that adorn several buildings in the town. To explore his oeuvre, a visit to the “Museo Diffuso,” housed in the building that once served as the elementary school and designed by Gorni himself, is highly recommended.

Quistello is one of the municipalities included in the Parco delle Golene Foce Secchia, which encompasses the final stretch of the Secchia River before its confluence with the Po. A network of cycling and walking trails allows visitors to explore the area, connecting various points of interest, including the parish church of San Fiorentino and the Museo Diffuso Gorni.

The village also offers gastronomic specialties, two of which have received De.Co. recognition. Vin Còt is a condiment made from Lambrusco Mantovano, perfect for meats and salads, while the Zucca di Quistello is a special and prized pumpkin variety also known as “Capèl da Pret.”

A small village near the Po River, Quingentole is centered around its historic core, identified with Piazza Italia, where the impressive Gran Casa del Sole stands out. Now serving as the town hall, this elegant building was once the palace of the bishops of Mantua. It was constructed in the 15th century AD by Lodovico Gonzaga with the typical features of a vacation residence. The villa hosted various bishops of Mantua, including Ercole Gonzaga, a descendant of Lodovico and responsible for expanding and embellishing the structure. He is credited with creating the gardens and commissioning decorations from the Renaissance artist Giulio Romano.

Still in the square, opposite the palace, stands the beautiful Baroque church dedicated to San Lorenzo Martire. Built in the mid-18th century on the orders of the Bishop of Mantua, Antonio di Bagno, it replaced the old parish church located outside the town. The imposing building features a single nave with four side chapels, a presbytery, and an apse, alongside a bell tower approximately 38 meters high.

Of particular historical interest is the Oratory of the Blessed Virgin of Loreto, located in the hamlet of San Lorenzo. This structure replaced the ancient Matildic parish church, the previous parish church, which was demolished in the mid-18th century. Some of the building materials were reused in the construction of the current parish church of San Lorenzo Martire. Surrounding the oratory, the ancient perimeter walls of the former parish church have been uncovered, allowing for their study and identification.

Part of a union of municipalities, Revere’s ancient past is due to its strategic position along the river and the historic Via Claudia Augusta. Controlled by the Canossa family around the year 1000 before being ceded to the Church, Revere witnessed battles between the Modena and Reggio populations before finally yielding to the Mantuan forces in the 12th century. This period saw the construction of a castle, of which only the imposing tower remains. Nearby, the Ducal Palace reflects the influence of the Gonzaga family, who acquired the village in the 14th century. Designed by Luca Fancelli, a student of Filippo Brunelleschi, the palace has a square plan, with a porticoed courtyard running along three sides.
Today it houses the Museum of the Po, an engaging exhibition across eleven rooms that tells the history of the great river, its region, its people, and its diverse fauna.
The village tour concludes at the Church of the Blessed Virgin Annunciata, built in the late 18th century on the site of the previous parish church. Its distinctive late Baroque curved facade and single nave interior are adorned with frescoes by Giuseppe Milani and Giuseppe Bazzani.

Borgo Mantovano also preserves traditional flavors, particularly in the hamlet of Villa Poma, where Pastine alle mandorle (almond pastries) are a specialty, along with salame mantovano gentile, named for the casing that allows for extended aging, and tortelli di zucca al burro e salvia with Parmesan croutons, a delicious variation worth trying.

The village, part of a municipal union, reveals an ancient history thanks to its strategically advantageous position near the river and along the historic Via Claudia Augusta. The Canossa family controlled these territories around the year 1000 before ceding them to the Church. The site became a battleground between the populations of Modena and Reggio before ultimately falling to the Mantuan forces in the 12th century AD. It was during this period that the construction of the castle is recorded, of which only the imposing tower remains today.

Not far from the tower, the Ducal Palace bears the hallmark of the Gonzaga family, who took control of the village in the 14th century AD. This remarkable square-plan structure, featuring a porticoed courtyard along three sides, was designed by Luca Fancelli, a student and assistant of Filippo Brunelleschi. Today, it houses the Museum of the Po, an intriguing journey through eleven rooms that narrates the history of the great river, its surrounding territory, the peoples who lived along its banks, and the rich fauna that has always characterized it.

The visit to the village concludes with the Church of the Blessed Virgin Annunziata, built in the second half of the 18th century atop the previous parish church. The church stands out for its late-Baroque curved facade and its single nave interior, adorned with frescoes by Giuseppe Milani and Giuseppe Bazzani.

Borgo Mantovano also preserves traditional flavors, particularly in the municipality of Villa Poma, where Pastine alle mandorle (almond pastries) are a genuine specialty. They are complemented by Salame Mantovano Gentile, named for the casing that allows for longer aging, and the unmissable Pumpkin Tortelli with Butter and Sage and Parmesan Reggiano Croutons, a delightful variation that is an absolute must-try.