Tipologia
The area between Mincio East riverbank and border with Veneto is also known as Strada del riso, id est Rice route: actually many rice mills flourished there since XVI century, and vialone nano – the local rice variety – is very popular all over Italy. In RONCOFERRARO there is even a monument to rice weeders. It is still possible to visit the ancient Pila del Galeotto rice mill, which is between GAZZO and CADÈ. Restaurants of "Strada del riso e dei suoi risotti" – id est Rice and risotto route – association (tel. 0376 369727) serve less or more traditional risottos – the most famous is risotto alla pilota, with pork sausage. Not to say about buildings. Corte Spinosa (XVI century) and Villa Favorita (XVII century) are beautiful remains of ancient manors, in PORTO MANTOVANO. In VILLIMPENTA you may still see the Scaliger castle, renovated by Luca Fancelli. Another castle is in CASTEL D'ARIO, where you may see also the house where Tazio Nuvolari was born. And if you are there on Ash Wednesday, you can not miss the bigolada, a festival where thick spaghetti - bìgoi in local dialect – with anchovy or tuna are prepared and served directly in the main square.