San Benedetto Po lays in the part of Mantua territory South of the river, known as Oltrepò; its history is related to the ancient Benedictine monastery, which Tedaldo of Canossa founded in 1007 on an island between Po and Lirone rivers. The village grew around the monastery and along the river. Polirone monastery had a great religious, cultural and political influence among the Italian monasteries, until Napoleon suppressed it in 1797. The monastery bears sign of a bimillenary history, that you can visit:
- the XV century abbey church, which was renovated by Giulio Romano in 1539, and still retains XI century mosaics;
- the refectory (1478), which was frescoed likely by Correggio;
- XV century San Simeone, San Benedetto and Seculars' cloisters;
- Polirone Town Museum;
- XVI century cellars;
- XI century Santa Maria di Valverde church.
The surroundings are sprinkled with oratories, abbey villas, parish churches, dairies and farms; by cycling along the riverbanks, you can still appreciate how the monks drained this land; still, you may enjoy navigation along Po river.
In Gorgo, you may visit the astronomical observatory.
Events:
Asparagus festival (second week of May) – "Sagra dal nèdar" id est Duck festival (first Sunday of October)