Feasts, festivals and events in Garda`s Morainic Hills colline
Transcript
Feasts, festivals and events in Garda`s Morainic Hills colline
2014 colline calendar Feasts, festivals and events in Garda’s Morainic Hills Fondo Europeo Agricolo perloloSviluppo Sviluppo Rurale: l’Europa investeinveste nelle zone ruralizone rurali Fondo Europeo Agricolo per Rurale: l’Europa nelle PSR 2007-2013 Direzione Generale Agricoltura PSR 2007-2013 Direzione Generale Agricoltura GARDA’S MORAINIC HILLS: A LAND OF DISCOVERY Nature tal-heritage” status. Adding to the natural riches of the hills is the protected Mincio River Regional Park which spans the Lombardy region from Lake Garda to the Po’ river. T he expanse of land that stretches from the southern banks of Lake Garda across the Mantua plains, reaching east to the river Mincio and west to the river Chiese offers visitors a vision of surprising natural beauty and striking landscapes. Easy rolling hills and craggy expanses unwind in a rise and fall of valleys and elevations amid dry plains, gentle dips in the landscape and the glint of spring waters shimmering through the hornbeam and oak thickets, juniper shrubs, leafy vineyards, fruit groves and wheat fields. These are the Morainic Hills by Lake Garda, an out-of-the-ordinary area filled with unique features and framing within its boundaries the towns of Castiglione delle Stiviere, Cavriana, Monzambano, Ponti sul Mincio, Solferino and Volta Mantovana; each basks in the glory of a castle, or castle ruins, standing proudly on the highest peak of the highest hills around which the towns slowly spread out over the years to comprise ordinary homes, noble villas and elegant Renaissance stately halls. These magnificent towns and villages are framed by another cluster of villages, the most notable of which are Marmirolo, Medole, Goito, Guidizzolo and Pozzolengo, each of outstanding beauty and historical appeal, with a long tradition of fine food and wine. The area is one of such outstanding natural beauty and scenic views that it is considered of prominent public interest, with some awarded “environmen- Food and wine T he Morainic hills are an incontestable rural treasure, thanks to the rich and multifaceted natural environment, dotted with paths and cycle ways and the appeal of an unparalleled culinary heritage that has produced one of the tastiest and most sought-after local cuisines. The finest wine produced in this area is the Lugana, along with the Rubino and Merlot, parts of the tradition of hilltop red wines, and Chiaretto, produced by expert winemakers who skilfully extract this tangy and gently fragranced wine from black grapes. A number of excellent sparkling white wines and good sweet liqueur wines are also produced in the area, alongside internationally classified whites and reds. On the food front, a host of specialities await: many of the region’s farm restaurants serve the delicious local salami; home-made pasta dishes reign in local restaurants, where capunsèl tops the bill, a bread dumpling made exclusively in this area and recognized as a local speciality by the Lombardy regional council. Cakes and sweets are also made with popular local ingredients: Kiseol or busulà (a tasty biscuit containing spelt flour), the famous San Biagio cake (chopped almond mixture) and the light and fluffy San Luigi ring cake (traditionally made in Castiglione 2 it became the scene of many Risorgimento struggles, the Battle of San Martino in particular. These fights live on in the stories written about them, tales of human drama that can still be felt here, carefully conserved in the memories of the people and in the traditions they hold so dearly. Much love goes into safeguarding the area’s historical and artistic past. delle Stiviere and dedicated to the town’s most famous son). Visitors will have a host of occasions to savour the many local dishes and delicacies, with something for every palate, at the the wide range of local events in which food is the main attraction. History and culture T he magic that only a history worth telling can create adds beauty to the sublime. Squeezed by military and political interests over the centuries, the past in these parts was often bloody. Inhabited since the Neolithic Period, each age in the history of man has been experienced to the full, from the hunter-farmers who built and settled in pile-dwellings along the banks of the lakes between the hills, to spreading Etruscan colonization, Cenomani Gallic occupation and the Roman Conquest. Each civilization fought over the area and its many riches, leaving their unmistakable and invaluable mark on each part of it. In the Middle Ages, it took on a strategic importance as the Scaligeri of Verona, Gonzagas of Mantu and the Viscounts of Brescia and Milan battled to control it. After the 15th century, the land was once again an object of contention, as both the ruling dynasties of Venice and the Gonzagas laid claim to it; by the end of the 18th century, after the fall of the great Mantuan dynasty, it fell under the rule of the Austrians until the Second Italian War of Independence (1859) when 3 MAIN EVENTS IN 2014 Ancient Feast of Saint Blaise Carnival Ancient Feast of Saint Margaret Capunsèl carnival by night Saint Joseph Fair Sports Fair - SouthGardaBike Earth Day Village flower festival National exhibition of passito and meditazione wines Cavriana (10 - 11 May in the event of rain) Castiglione flower festival Castiglione d./St. 21 - 24 June Solferino 4 - 7 August June in Solferino Convivium Voluptatis Renaissance Festival Capunsèl Festival Capra d’Oro Palio Gonzaga Banquet Polastrel Chicken Festival July Fair San Lorenzo Palio Feast of Saint Cajetan 9 August Moonlight Wine Festival 22 - 25 August Monzambano 6 December Feast of Saint Bartholomew Pike Festival Wine Festival October Fest - Expo by the Tower Grana Padano Cheese Festival Volta Good Food Festival Ancient Feast of Saint Nicolò 31 January/1-2-3 February 2015 Ancient Feast of Saint Blaise Cavriana 1 - 2 - 3 February 16 February 23 February 8 March 15 - 16 March 5 - 6 April 12 April 25 - 26 - 27 April 1 - 4 May 3 - 4 May 27 - 29 June 4 - 6 July 5 July 12 July 18 - 21 July 20 July August 5 - 8 September 19 - 22 September 5 October 24 - 26 October 8 - 9 November 4 Castiglione d./St. Monzambano Volta Mantovana Pozzolengo Medole Castiglione d./St. Monzambano Volta Mantovana Volta Mantovana Solferino Cavriana Solferino Monzambano Guidizzolo Pozzolengo Ponti sul Mincio Cavriana, Monzambano, Volta Mantovana Marmirolo Monzambano Guidizzolo Goito Volta Mantovana Ponti sul Mincio Castiglione delle Stiviere O ver the centuries and under the rule, first of the Viscount, then the Gonzaga families, Castiglione has always been an important economic, agricultural and industrial centre. The beating heart of the town, Dallò square, lies at the centre of an interesting urban system that has retained the vestiges of the ancient castrum it once was. Other important landmarks are the ruins of the stately home and birthplace of Luigi Gonzaga, the Jesuit priest canonized in 1726, and the square named after him where the San Luigi Basilica-Sanctuary stands. Built in 1612, the Sanctuary houses the relics of the Saint and his nieces, clerics Cinzia, Olympia and Gridonia Gonzaga who founded the Virgins of Jesus congregation and relative College which currently houses the Aloysius Museum. Another emblematic building of historical and artistic interest is the International Red Cross Museum located inside the 18th century Longhi Palace; this distinctive building preserves objects and documents chronicling the beginnings of the Red Cross Movement, started by Henry Dunant. In addition to the many stately homes and town theatre built in 1843, the town boasts many other historical attractions; notable among these are the Castle and walls built by the Gonzaga family, the Pastore Park and Palace, Palazzo Meghini (originally housing the Menghini nursery and now an art gallery and meeting rooms) and Palazzo Bondoni Pastorio, a historic house museum and important cultural venue. Castiglione has a busy calendar of events with something of interest happening every month, as well as a variety of local food and wine specialities. The biggest occasion of the year is the local flower festival - Castiglione in fiore - which very cleverly combines floriculture with history, tradition and needless to say, the fine local cuisine. The town itself is set against a verdant natural backdrop that can be easily explored by bike. Patron Saint: Saint Aloysius Gonzaga Weekly market: Saturday (8:00 - 13:00) in Via Garibaldi, Via Pretorio and Via Chiassi Farmer’s market: Thursday (8:00 - 13:00) in the square (Piazza San Luigi) 5 Castiglione’s big carnival Sunday 16 February This traditional yearly celebration will bring the historic centre to life with confetti, fun and laughter when the spectacular parade of allegorical floats and masks from the provinces of Mantua, Brescia and Verona weaves its way through the town. Castiglione delle Stiviere local promotional agency (Pro Loco) Tel. +39.0376.944061 www.prolococastiglionestiviere.it Castiglione delle Stiviere Town Council www.comune.castiglione.mn.it Earth day Saturday 12 April “All the energy in the world” is the subject of the Earth Day 2014 event to be held in Desenzani Park. Several tents will be set up across the park where schools, public bodies, associations, agencies and organisations will run Castiglione delle Stiviere Town Council scientific and creative workshops, and exhibitions as Tourism and Creativity Department a means of fostering discussion and sharing informaTel. +39.0376.679305 tion. [email protected] Entertainment and group activities will also feature. CASTIGLIONE FLOWER FESTIVAL Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 May (Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May in the event of rain) This year will be the 10th edition of Castiglione’s important floriculture show, organised by the local council in collaboration with the local promotional agency and numerous local associations , and as usual there will be something for young and old alike over the two-day celebration of nature, good times and culture. The Castiglione delle Stiviere local historical centre will be transformed into a huge flower garpromotional agency (Pro Loco) den in honour of the town’s patron saint Luigi Gonzaga, and Tel. +39.0376.944061 a full programme of events, including exhibitors from across www.prolococastiglionestiviere.it northern Italy, will be matched by an equally interesting series of parallel events. Summer in Castiglione Castiglione delle Stiviere Town Council Department of Culture Tel. +39.0376.679256 www.comune.castiglione.mn.it June to September A full programme of events will liven up the summer in Castiglione, with a variety of interesting music, film, theatre, literary and performance events for all ages and tastes. Gru-Gro Festival Friday 29 August to Monday 8 September A lavish food tent will be serving tasty dishes from the local tradition, served to the sounds of live music and entertainment. Gru-Gro The event is curated and organised by Gru-Gro, a voluntary association that www.grugro.it also stages historical re-enactments in full costume, such as the Passion of Christ (mid-April) and the Battle of Solferino (end of June). 6 Cavriana C avrianaThe ancient hilltop town of Cavriana, one of the most typical in the Morainic area, has been traced to prehistoric times, as testified by archaeological findings uncovered in the hills (the earliest ones date back to the Neolithic period, 5000BC). In the Middle Ages, the village was fortified with a castle housing the Gonzaga court from the 15th century. The castle was destroyed by the Austrians in the mid 700s, leaving only the walls - the main defensive system - standing today along with the Mediaeval Tower. At the foot of the latter stands a fine example of 700s Gonzaga family architecture, the Villa Mirra Siliprandi, which has been repeatedly renovated and transformed over the years. It is currently home to a variety of exhibitions and conferences, and also hosts the “Dulcissima” confectionary fair during the Ancient Saint Blaise Festival. Tucked away in another corner of the building is the Archaeological Museum of the Mantuan Hills, one of the most important museums in the Italian region of Lombardy. Just outside the village, on a tree-lined avenue, is the Saint Mary Parish Church, an 11th century Romanesque building featuring a distinctive brick, pebble and stone facade with 12th-14th century frescoes inside. From its hilltop location offering views stretching as far as the Emilia Romagna Apennines, this church is unquestionably one of the most fascinating religious edifices in the entire province. Cavriana offers a pleasant haven away from the sticky heat and chaos, but with an equally vibrant programme of social and cultural events. The outstanding natural beauty and rich natural habitat of the area has earned the province the designation of environmentally protected site. The rural ward of Bande di Cavriana was also listed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 2011 on account of its many pre-historic pile-dwellings. Patron Saint: Saint Blaise Weekly market: Saturday (8:00 - 13:00) in Via Porta Antica 7 ANCIENT FEAST OF SAINT BLAISE Saturday 31 January/1-2 February 2014 The Ancient Feast of Saint Blaise is dedicated to a mouth-watering cake created more than 450 years ago, and lovingly handed down over the generations. Every year a historical re-enactment is held in celebration, during which a huge San Biagio cake is traditionally cut, whilst the old town centre comes to life with shows for big and small, conventions, tastings, cookery demonstrations and a lot more. Old-fashioned cake and biscuit fair Another part of the Ancient Feast of Saint Blaise celebrations, Dulcissima, provides an excellent opportunity to taste, buy or even just admire the fabulous sugary-sweet Cavriana Town Council Tel. +39.0376.811411 creations, an echo www.comune.cavriana.mn.it of age-old traditions, many unknown and Dulcissima from centuries ago, Tel. +39.030.9040334 of the surrounding lowww.dulcissima.it cal towns and [email protected] es. Visitors will also be able to wash down these delicacies with some fine wines and spirits. Capra d’oro palio Saturday 5 July In celebration of the town’s golden renaissance years, on the first Saturday of July every year, the Capra d’Oro palio contest is held. The Palio originated from the mythical finding of the legendary “Capra D’Oro” (golden goat) which gave the town its name (historically called Capriana), and also appears on the town’s coat of arms. As part of the palio, each ward taking part in the contest parades through the town dressed in 8 renaissance costumes in different colours, each putting on scenic representations and folk performances and competing for the prize of the best ward. The much-coveted prize goes to the ward that wins the overall Palio. Cavriana Town Council Tel. +39.0376.811411 www.comune.cavriana.mn.it Up all night (Notte Bianca) Saturday 19 July Cavriana Town Council Tel. +39.0376.811411 +39.0376.811428 www.comune.cavriana.mn.it From late afternoon to the first light of dawn, Cavriana’s historic town centre will come alive with all nature of events, all of which are free: concerts, exhibitions, theatre, dance, food tastings and the chance to try the town’s famous local specialities at the food stands in the bottom garden in Villa Mirra. Moonlight wine festival Saturday 9 August Calici di Stelle is a traditional summer gala dinner introduced by the Wine Tourist Movement to create an occasion for visitors to enjoy the shooting stars on the feast of Saint Lawrence whilst sipping on a glass of fine wine. In the three wine towns in the Morainic Hills, Cavriana, Monzambano and Volta Mantovana, visitors will be able to enjoy exquisite cuisine washed down with the finest of the local wine production, with a glance skywards to catch a shooting star, as they dance the evening away to live music in the moonlight. Isabella d’Este Award Cavriana Town Council tel. +39.0376.811410 Monzambano Town Council tel. +39.0376.800502 Volta Mantovana Town Council tel. +39.0376.839431 Saturday 13 September Cavriana town council will be staging, for the fifth year running, the competition in honour of Isabella d’Este, the Marchioness of Mantua who had a special relationship with the lovely hillside town. It was offer her summer desCavriana Town Council tination of choice Tel. +39.0376.811428 during trips to Lake www.comune.cavriana.mn.it Garda. The purpose of the competition is to keep the town’s artistic and cultural identity alive by bringing together the intellectuals, artists and associations that help to develop local culture. 9 Monzambano N estling deep in the hills on the right bank of the Mincio river, Monzambano is framed by cypress trees, olive groves and vineyards. The historical centre stands on a 90m-high Morainic headland, commanding magnificent views over the surrounding area. The ancient roots of the town can be seen in the 12th century castle built by the Veronese in the era of Matilde di Canossa, and the Saint Michael Parish Church, designed and built by Domenico Rossi between 1743 and 1777. The late Baroque church contains a variety of artworks by local masters such as Cignaroli and Ugolini. Of much more recent fabrication is the town square, known as the Piazzetta delle Arti e dei Mestieri; this veritable bijoux overlooking the Virgilio Canal is the ideal setting for concerts and cultural events. An important landmark in and around Monzambano is the Villa Conti Cipolla, one of the finest examples of 19th century liberty architecture in the Mantua highlands, along with the historical centre of Castellaro Lagusello, designated one of “Italy’s prettiest villages” and awarded an Orange Flag by the Italian Touring Club. Much celebrated for its rare flowers and pile-dwelling sites, the Castellaro Lagusello nature reserve is part of the Mincio Regional Park and has been a UNESCO world heritage site since 2011. Many different events are organised in the area, offering a cultural diary of wide appeal. Another feather in Monzambano’s cap are the many restaurants, farmhouses and inns catering to lovers of good food and wine. Last but not least are the highly popular traditional local fairs and festivals that attract crowds every year. Patron Saint: Saint Bartholomew Weekly market: Sunday (8:00 - 13:00) in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele III and Piazza Tito Zaniboni 10 Ancient Feast of Saint Margaret Sunday 23 February 2013 From dawn to dusk, the magnificent village of Castellaro Lagusello, an outlying district of Monzambano, will be hosting the Ancient Feast of Saint Margaret. The origins of the event are deeply rooted in the cattle market and ball games, a gem from the past and forerunner of the modern-day sport of “tamburello”. Not to be missed is a taste of the famous Santa Margherita Monzambano Town Council cake in the afternoon at the Castle. Local restaurateurs Tel. +39.0376.800502 int. 1 traditionally welcome visitors with characteristic menus [email protected] prepared specially for the fair. Village Flower Festival From Friday 25 to Sunday 27 April Flower festival in the ward of Castellaro Lagusello. Monzambano Town Council Tel. +39.0376.800502 int.1 [email protected] www.borgoinfiore.it Community-Fest Friday 31 May to Monday 2 June During the event, organized by Monzambano’s ANSPI Club in collaboration with local church groups, a number of food Monzambano ANSPI Club and wine stands will be set up outside the church, serving [email protected] Mantua specialities along with wines from the local Colli Morenici winery. Morenic Music Festival May to July The festival, organized by Monzambano’s local promotional agency, will bring the hilltop town to life all summer with a packed calendar of concerts. Local Promotional Agency www.prolocomonzambano.it “Polastrel” Chicken Festival From Friday 18 to Monday 21 July The traditional and much-loved Polastrel chicken festival is held every year in Monzambano’s Olfino ward, in the Papa Giovanni I park. The event is dedicated to the highly-acclaimed “polastrel su la gradela’” (barbeque chicken), prepared by expert chefs using a secret recipe. During the four-day feast, diners will be entertained to the music of well-known bands and musicians. 11 Monzambano Town Council Tel. +39.0376.800502 www.comune.monzambano.mn.it Pille-Olfino Folk and Culture Association [email protected] Feast Of Saint Bartholomew From Friday 22 to Monday 25 August The traditional Feast of Saint Bartholomew is held every year in the Morainic town, filling Monzambano with food stalls, live music, art, sport and a funfair. Castellaro Buskers Festival Saturday 30 August to Monday 1 September International exhibition of street artists in the Castellaro Lagusello ward WINE FESTIVAL From Friday 19 to Monday 22 September Monzambano hosts the Festa dell’Uva wine festival every year, a popular event with a host of tastings, fine food, historical re-enactments and fun things to do. Much space is dedicated to stands offering tastings of local wines with a parallel programme of conferences on the subject of wine and wine-making. The historical re-enactment staged every year in the streets around the Castle is a spellbinding spectacle, with more than 500 people in mediaeval costumes bringing the ancient glory Monzambano Town Council Tel. +39.0376.800502 back to life for a few www.comune.monzambano.mn.it days. Local Promotional Agency www.prolocomonzambano.it 12 Monzambano Town Council Tel. +39.0376.800502 www. comune.monzambano.mn.it Monzambano Town Council Tel. +39.0376.800502 www.castellarobuskers.it Ponti sul Mincio P onti sul Mincio may be the smallest town in the Morainic Hills, but its geographical location makes it one of the most appealing for its outstanding natural beauty. It is in fact the closest of the Mantua highland villages to Lake Garda, at a distance of just 4km. Most of the town and surrounding area fall within the Mincio natural park, which starts within the town limits of Ponti. Ponti sul Mincio’s mediaeval origins are reflected in the remains of the ancient Castle, built in the 12th century by the Scaligeri who dominated the upper part of the town. In the town’s more historic quarters, the building most worthy of note is the 16th century Renaissance parish church. Inside it houses an exquisite 18th century statue of Mary and baby Jesus and traces of a 15th century fresco. On the cultural front, the town’s rich food and wine tradition generates much interest. Ponti is in fact the biggest producer of DOC wines in the area. The local Colli Morenici winery, which is responsible for 50% of the local wine production, is the only public winemaker in the Morainic hills. In terms of the natural environment, Ponti is one of the largest areas in Italy with such a humid climate, and as such, has a rich plant life typical of marshy areas, and also a rich animal life. The countryside around Ponti is criss-crossed by cycle trails which wind their way through the many mediaeval villages and rural courts they encounter along the way, leading finally to the Mincio river and a visit to the dam controlling the flow of water out of Lake Garda. Patron Saint: Saint Anthony the Abbot Weekly market: Tuesday (8:00 - 13:00) in the square (Piazza Parolini) 13 FEAST OF SAINT CAJETAN Presumably from Monday 4 to Thursday 7 August 2014, the actual feast day of Saint Cajetan. The traditional Feast of Saint Cajetan is held every year in the Morainic town, filling Ponti sul Mincio with food stalls, live music, art, sport and a funfair. Tasty local dishes will be served up from the food stands by the sports centre, while in the main square (Piazza Parolini), visitors will find more stands, cabaret shows and a beer tent playing Ponti sul Mincio Town Council rock music, counTel. +39.0376.88121 try and blues. www.comune.pontisulmincio.mn.it Ancient Feast of San Nicolò Saturday 6 December This celebration returned in 2006 after a break for a few years, allowing visitors once again to take a trip down memory lane. During the festivities, at lunch and dinner the Cascina Pellizzer farmhouse restaurant (on the road to Mincio power station) will be serving a full menu based on traditional local foods that were once the staSagra di San Gaetano Association ple diet of those living and www.sagraponti.com working Ponti’s countryside. (open in Internet Explorer) During the event, music will also feature. 14 Solferino T he town of Solferino sits atop gentle rolling hills and enjoys panoramic views over the plains towards Lake Garda. The landscape is dotted with water courses in the valleys as a result of the layer upon layer of impenetrable earth in the ground. For this reason, there are also many damp areas, ponds and small lakes to be found. The lower-lying areas often have peat bogs, a vestige of the ancient lakes between the moraines. It is best known for the Battle of Solferino on 24 June 1859, which was a critical part of the Italian Risorgimento. During the Second Italian War of Independence, Solferino and San Martino were bloody battlegrounds in the fighting between the allied Piedmontese and French troops, and the Austrian army. A group of monuments was erected in memory of these tragic events, including the Museum, Vault, Rock and Red Cross Memorial. The ancient castle stands in what is without doubt one of the prettiest hilltop verandas is the area. The building was originally built in the Middle Ages, but was substantially altered by Prince Orazio Gonzaga in the 16th century, when he turned it into a residence for himself. It has a rectangular layout and is enclosed in part by the ancient walls, with some sections circumscribed by rows of houses. Several high-profile events are held in the castle grounds every year. The area is also famous for the DOC wine produced in the hills and the culinary tradition captured in Capunsèl di Solferino, a local speciality and tasty bread dumpling served as a main dish. Patron Saint: Saint Nicholas Weekly market: Saturday afternoon in Piazza Marconi 15 June in Solferino Saturday 21: torchlight procession, Tuesday 24 June: in commemoration of historic battle TORCHLIGHT PARADE After the first edition in 1992, hundreds of thousands of Red Cross volunteers from around the world have been coming from all over the world to walk in this procession for peace, which winds its way from Solferino to Castiglione delle Stiviere, where the idea for a Red Cross organisation first originated. ANNIVERSARY OF THE HISTORIC BATTLE OF SOLFERINO AND SAN MARTINO During the Second War of Italian Independence, a bloody battle was fought between the Austrian and French-Piedmontese armies at Solferino and San Martino on 24 June 1859. The ferocious clash was key to the outcome of the Second War of Independence and also led to the foundation of the Red Cross by Henry Dunant, CRI Museum of Castiglione delle Stiviere a Swiss busitel. +39.0376.638505 www.micri.it nessman who witnessed the Solferino Town Council work of the many women providing assistance to Tel. +39.0376.854001 soldiers wounded in the battle. A tribute to all those www.comune.solferino.mn.it who fell in the battle is held on 24 June every year. 16 CAPUNSÈL FESTIVAL From Friday 4 to Monday 6 July Every summer, the most characteristic dish of the whole of the Garda Morainic Hills and firm favourite all round - Capunsèl di Solferino, a bread dumpling with crumbled amaretSolferino Town Council to biscuits added to the Tel. +39.0376.854001 mixture - is celebrated in www.comune.solferino.mn.it the sports centre. For the duration of the Local Promotional Agency festival, the array of fine Tel. +39.0376.854360 [email protected] food will be accompanied by equally fantastic music, dancing and market stalls. Gonzaga Banquet Saturday 12 July Every year Solferino hosts the open-air “Gonzaga Banquet”, offering locals and visitors alike the chance to step back into the 17th century and relive a bit of the town’s history. The backdrop for the feast is the Castle Local Promotional Agency square, where GonTel. +39.0376.854360 zaga-esque settings [email protected] are recreated to cast www.prolocosolferino.it minds back to the baptism of Ferdinando II Gonzaga, the son of Carlo Gonzaga and Isabella Martinengo. Booking required. 17 Volta Mantovana S ituated in the outer foothills of the Morainic Hills, the town of Volta Mantovana has ancient roots as testified by the old town centre and in particular, by the remains of the ancient castle. Nestling in the countryside, the castle was originally built in the 11th century and later transformed by the House of Gonzaga in the 14th-15th centuries. The fortified edifice houses two noble residences: the home of the Gonzaga’s Palazzo Cavriani, and Villa Venier. The former features a 16th century facade capped by decorative chimneys and a pretty Italian garden, and is now used as a municipal building. The latter is an ancient renovated Dominican convent. Across the courtyard in front of Palazzo Cavriani are the palace stables which are now used as a venue for exhibitions and large cultural events. Volta has a full calendar of attractions, organised to promote the local area and its defining features, including the culinary ones. Its location beside the Mincio Natural Park gives Volta Mantovana the added attraction of outstanding natural beauty on its doorstep. The whole area north of the Virgilio canal has in fact been designated a protected site for the huge environmental and natural interest it incorporates. The town is criss-crossed by cycle trails and paths which provide a natural itinerary from Mantua all the way to Mincio, to be done on foot or by bike. Patron Saint: Saint Mary Magdalene Weekly market: Friday (8:00 - 13:00) in the square (Piazza Cantarana) 18 Capunsèl Carnival by Night Volta Mantovana Town Council Saturday 8 March Organising Committee Riding high on the success of previous editions, the night-time Tel. +39.0376.839431 comune.volta.mn.it; carnival will be bringing its spectacular parade of allegorical www.voltamn.it floats and masks back to the streets of the town in March 2014. Opening festivities from the afternoon will be the historical Veronese “King of the dumpling” mask accompanied by the local “Pupà del Capunsèl” mask. For visitors there will be food stands, hot drinks, entertainment and the popular Capunsèl from Volta Mantovana. NATIONAL EXHIBITION OF PASSITO AND MEDITAZIONE WINES From Thursday 1 to Sunday 4 May As ever, the National Exhibition of passito and meditazione wines will be four days of tasting local wine and food. The market fair will again be staged in the grounds of Gonzaga Palace, now the Volta Mantovana town hall, and some fine foreign wines will be welcomed as special guest of honour. In addition to the many food and wine events, guided tours to key sites of historical interest in Volta Mantovana will be organised, along with exhibitions and games. Volta Mantovana Town Council Organising Committee Tel. +39.0376.839431 [email protected] www.vinipassiti.com Convivium Voluptatis Renaissance Festival Friday 27 to Sunday 29 June 2013 The Gonzaga Palace gardens will be hosting the 16th edition of this celebration, featuring fun-filled days of resplendent historical re-enactments. For lovers of Mediaeval and Renaissance history, the curtain will rise on proceedings on Friday 27 June, and there will be a renaissance banquet in honour of Mantua’s former royal family, Ludovico II Gonzaga and Volta Mantovana Town Council Barbara of Brandenburg, serving a variety of local dishes and drawOrganising Committee ing inspiration from the culinary traditions of those times. On ensuTel. +39.0376.839431 ing days, the festival will continue with a country [email protected] sance marketplace with stands and stalls selling www.conviviovolta.it special foods and crafts or where visitors can talk to folk healers, fortune-tellers and witches in the company of jesters and acrobats. 19 Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene Volta Mantovana Town Council Organising Committee Tel. +39.0376.839431 www.comune.volta.mn.it Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 July The traditional Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene is held every year in the Morainic town, filling Volta Mantovana with food stalls, live music, art and events. Feast of the Blessed Paola Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September The feast brings the village to life with a full calendar of events that are all about tradition, art and culture. Volta Mantovana Town Council Tel. +39.0376.839431 www.comune.volta.mn.it A Volta per Star Bene (Good Food Festival) Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 November “A Volta per star Bene” was created for a specific purpose: to present local products to a wider public and promote exports of the produce, foods, wines, crafts and culture of Garda’s Morainic hills. It is the perfect opportunity to spend a weekend of full-on good food and good living. The event is free, so tickets are not required to visit the gazebos set up around the Gonzaga Palace stables; being a showcase of local produce, every year visitors are invited to taste and buy the many delicacies, from the popular sparkling white wines and olive oils and truffles, to everything else on display in the market fair: cakes, biscuits, bread, preserves, Volta Mantovana Town Council Organising Committee mustards, jams, vinTel. +39.0376.839431 egars, fresh fruit [email protected] and vegetables. Also www.avoltaperstarbene.it not to be missed are the cookery courses to learn how to make local specialities, and the host of parallel activities for children, and tours around the Gonzaga Palace, and to the Towers and Mastio keep. 20 Surroundings... 21 Goito L ocated in the heart of the province of Mantua, Goito stretches out between the verdant Morainic hills and the sweeping Mincio river valley. Enjoying such a strategic geographic location gave Goito a complex history. Over the years, the town went from Gonzaga city state in the 14th century to battlefield for the Wars of Independence from 1848. The village is laid out according to the ancient grid plan, and can be reached by the famously-named “Bridge of Glory”; to the left of the bridge stands a monument to Italian Bersaglieri light infantry soldiers, commemorating the 8 April 1848 “Battesimo del Fuoco” battle when the Bersaglieri corps fought Austrian troops at the outbreak of the First Italian War of Independence. Not too far away, the bronze bust of General La Marmora who was wounded at the site in May 1848 can be seen. Two fine stately homes stand on the banks of the Mincio river: the eclectic Villa Giraffa and the elegant Villa Moschini. Protected sites of note include the Camignana Valleys, Bertone Park (centre for the reintroduction of the white stork), Isola della Fragola, the Old Mill on the river (recently restored) and the Incoronata di Cerlongo Castle. Amongst its many assets, Goito also boasts rich gastronomic and craft traditions. Patron Saint: Saint Peter Weekly market: Sunday (8:00 - 13:00) in the historic town centre Farmer’s market: Friday (8:00 - 13:00) in the square (Piazza Matteotti) Pizza in Piazza Monday 30 June and Tuesday 1 July During the 20th edition of the Pizza in Piazza festival organized by the local promotional agency, under the aegis of the local council, visitors will be welcomed to scores of open-air pizzerias, stands and drinks gazebos with seating for more than 3000. The whole of the historic town centre will be transformed to receive visitors longing for a taste of authentic Italian pizza, accompanied by music and entertainment from Gramsci, MatteGoito Town Council otti and Sordello Tel. +39.0376.683311 www.comune.goito.mn.it squares. Local Promotional Agency [email protected] 22 Festival of Grana Padano Cheese, Permanent Pastures and Renewable Energy From Friday 24 to Sunday 26 October The Grana Padano and Permanent Pastures Exhibition heralds the return of the manufacturers of this excellent cheese. There will be numerous stands where local producers can display their many dairy products alongside a selection of food and wine stands selling products from every region of Italy. Guided tasting tours to savour the many culinary delights of the area are also part of the programme, organised Goito Town Council by the Strada dei Vini e dei Sapori Mantovani association and Tel. +39.0376.683311 the Sordello local promotional agency, as well as cheese-making www.comune.goito.mn.it demonstrations by some of the exhibiting dairy producers. or Local restaurateurs traditionally welcome visitors with characterwww.fieradelgranapadano.it istic menus prepared specially for the exhibition. 23 Guidizzolo L ocated at the foot of the Morainic Hills, the town of Guidizzolo was the object of much contention between the ruling families of Mantua and Brescia; on 24 August 1216 representatives of these dynasties finally signed an important peace treaty in this town. Guidizzolo’s artistic and cultural treasures are to be found within the small historical centre, with the ancient 18th century parish church being the main site of interest. Of more recent construction is the Town Tower, built in 1911 on the site of the previous tower which collapsed in 1870 and was later demolished in 1875. Landmarks in the town centre include the stately Palazzo Rizzini once the home of local nobility and now housing the town council offices, and Palazzo Pezzati, now home to a bank. On the outskirts of the town heading towards the rural ward of Birbesi stands the Romanesque Saint Lawrence Oratory, a gabled building of understated elegance dating to the 12th century. The town enjoys a busy theatre season and other cultural events staged in the local theatre, which was renovated and reopened on 29 October 2000. Throughout the year there are no end of interesting things to do, including festivals and street fairs, many held from July to October. Patron Saint: Our Lady of the Rosary Weekly market: Wednesday (8:00 - 13:00) in Via Vittorio Veneto and Via IV Novembre Spring Music Festival May Guidizzolo local council will be staging a series of musical events to celebrate spring, the venue for which is the San Lorenzo hall, a magical countryside location just outside the town centre. Guidizzolo Town Council Theatre and Schools Department Tel. +39.0376.1620428 www.comune.guidizzolo.mn.it July fair Sunday 20 July The midsummer fair, organised by the local council and local promotional agency with the all-important assistance of local Guidizzolo organisations, has always been about music, something that the village excel in. Every year, the Guidizzolo Music Festival stages well-known, major opera productions while the historic town centre comes alive with food and wine stands, stalls and a fun fair. Guidizzolo Town Council Tel. +39.0376.819201 www.comune.guidizzolo.mn.it Local Promotional Agency www.prolocoguidizzolo.it October Festival - Colours and Flavours by the Tower Sunday 5 October Guidizzolo Town Council The event lights up the historic centre of Guidizzolo with a proTel. +39.0376.819201 gramme of events, and topping the bill are the excellent local cuiwww.comune.guidizzolo.mn.it sine and great music. Visitors can sit back and enjoy cocktails and canapés to the sound of music while the Avis Guidizzolo stand tantalizes their taste buds, as it does every year, with an important part of the towns culinary heritage: baked quails, prepared to an age-old recipe. 24 Marmirolo T he history of Marmirolo will be forever linked to the House of Gonzaga and its rise to power. Over the centuries, particularly between 1200 and 1300, this royal family’s rule over the land of Marmirolo was absolute. With such a rich tapestry of breathtaking landscapes, Marmirolo boasts a number of sites of outstanding natural beauty such as the rural ward of Pozzolo and the Fontana forest. A large part of the area is classified as a protected environmental site, not to mention playing host to the Mincio natural park. The name Pozzolo derives from the place name posòl in local dialect, which means “place with water fountain” as waters of the river Mincio used to be diverted through the village. It is also the starting point of the Fossa di Pozzolo which occupies the former course of the river. The river has all the semblances of a canal as it enters Pozzolo, but on leaving the town it reclaims its legacy as a river, the natural banks once again restored. Located on the last of Garda’s Morainic Hills and marking the boundary with Veneto, Pozzolo saw many a battle and passing troops until the Risorgimento period. The rural ward has a lively, enterprising community and a variety of popular events are held. The Mantua-Peschiera del Garda cycle path much loved by runners and cyclists also passes through the town. Patron Saint: Saints Sebastian and Fabian Weekly market: Saturday (8:00 - 13:00) in the square (Piazza Roma) Pozzolo Pike Festival From Friday 5 to Monday 8 September Pozzolo, a rural ward of the town of Marmirolo, has been renowned for its trattorias and local eateries since the 1950s, and thanks to the efforts of a number of these, a tradition was born that led to the current Luccio in Salsa pike festival. On the banks of the Mincio, in the area around the local sports centre, food stands serve the top-of-the-bill dish of the event - pike in sauce with toasted polenta - as well as tempting visitors with a variety of deliMarmirolo Town Council cacies from the Mantua culinary tradition. Everything is set to Tel. +39.0376.298511 www.comune.marmirolo.mn.it music, as local groups and orchestras bring light entertainment to the evening’s events. Polisportiva Pozzolese sports club Tel. +39.0376.460058 www.polisportivapozzolese.it 25 Medole T he town’s name most likely has its roots in the word “medolo”, a geological term meaning “stone”; this reflects the rich subsoil of stone, gravel and sand to be found throughout the area, a vestige of the rubble the Garda glaciers left behind when they melted. Of Roman origins, the historic town centre in Medole is graced by austere Baroque-style buildings dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries, classed as architectural trademarks of the area and recognizable by the period marble doorways. The castle, built some time in the 11th century, is the oldest echo of the town’s history; only the footprint of the inner courtyard remains and the three-walled Civic Tower with Baroque fore-section. The deconsecrated and derelict castle chapel was demolished in the late 19th century, and a small private theatre, commissioned by local nobility and dignitaries, was built in its place. This building was in turn demolished in 1946 to make space for a larger town theatre that stages a wide variety of events every year. In addition to the many important meetings held in the exhibition space in the Civil Tower and Theatre, Medole also organises a full calendar of cultural attractions, showcasing music, fun and local food and wine specialities. Patron Saint: Our Lady of Assumption Weekly market: Saturday (8:00 - 13:00) in the historic town centre Sports Festival - South Garda Bike Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 April The origins of this event lie in the passion and dedication of several bodies, associations and local figures, many of them young people, who work hard to bring this celebration of sport to South Garda area. The programme features a variety of group activities and workshops for children, young people and families. A key date for the diary is Sunday 6 April, when the SouthGardaBike national mountain bike race will wind its way along a Medole Town Council double route, following the Tel. +39.0376.868001 Baby Bike race on Saturday www.comune.medole.mn.it 5. SouthGardaBike Sport Nature Tour www.sportnaturetour.com 26 Pozzolengo P ozzolengo is the last natural balcony in an expanse of countryside otherwise known as the Lugana grape-growing zone, nestling between the Morainic hills at the corner of three provinces: Brescia, Mantua and Verona. Low-lying plains alternate with rows of poplar and willow trees, planes and elms in more humid areas, and natural vegetation and crops. Nearby Lake Garda softens the climate, allowing a number of different plant species and animals to thrive. The castle looms large over the town, standing tall at the top of mount Fluno and built around the turn of the century; a fortified mediaeval hamlet community continues to thrive inside its walls. The attractions of the hamlet include the Saint Lawrence parish church, built in 1510 and located in the centre, by the Palazzo Gelmetti town hall. Inside the church is a 17th century organ and a selection of prestigious canvases. Other local architectural jewels are the Piavoli and Brighenti stately homes. In the 1800s, Pozzolengo was the site of many Risorgimento battles which ultimately won Italy its independence and subsequent Unification; notable among these was the battle of San Martino and Solferino on 24 June 1859 which ended the Second War of Italian Independence. Past and present live happily side-by-side in Pozzolengo, with a contemporary vibe brought by a brand new hotel complex - Chervo’ Golf - that has become a favourite with the golf set. Set against the green Morainic hills, the hotel has an ancient 12th century abbey inside the grounds. Patron Saint: Saint Lawrence Weekly market: Monday (8:00 - 13:00) in Viale Gramsci San Giuseppe Festival Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 March The San Giuseppe Festival has been hosting a multitude of events celebrating local history and traditions, every year for 112 years. Headlining in the food and wine categories are the Morenico di Pozzolengo salami competition and the Dispensa Morenica market offering the chance to taste and buy a selection of typical local produce. At the same time, visitors can also Pozzolengo Town Council choose from an organised walk through the Lugana vineyards, Tel. +39.030.918131 theatre shows, a display of tractors and vintage farming equipwww.comune.pozzolengo.bs.it ment, ploughing demonstrations, corn threshing, a vintage car www.pozzolengoturismo.it parade, and the San Giuseppe market with craft and hobby stalls in the historical centre of Pozzolengo. 27 San Lorenzo Palio Month of August 2013 will be the 18th edition of Pozzolengo’s main fair, an event which has been bringing the town to life over the years with a host of arts, culture, sports, food, wine and good-fun events. The biggest dates in the diary, many of which take place on or around 10 August, the feast of Saint Lawrence, include the Boules Palio, Beer Festival, De Gustibus Morenicis (a food and wine fair in which local chefs and producers from the Morainic Hills invite visitors to savour some of the most prominent local flavours), concerts and theatre shows and last but not least, the Cantapalio song contest between the Pozzolengo Town Council Tel. +39.030.918131 town’s rural wards, www.comune.pozzolengo.bs.it the Pasta-making Palwww.pozzolengoturismo.it io and Gala Dinner in the Castle. 28 ROAD RACES and WALKS 2014 A wide range of opportunities are available for nature lovers and exercise enthusiasts to enjoy the great outdoors of the Morainic hills. DATE EVENT TOWN ORGANISER 19 January Saint Anthony the Abbot road race Ponti sul Mincio Ponti sul Mincio Town Council www.comune.pontisulmincio.mn.it 26 January 9th Strabiagio road race Cavriana Solferino Pro Loco (local promotional agency) [email protected]; Raffaele Trivini: 347.1917027 9 February Sponsored walk for the Don Mazzi Youth Foundation Cavriana Pool Gruppi Fiasp Mantova Remo Martini: 339.6312226; Paolo Zanetti: 338.8838902; [email protected] 16 February 2nd Don Giussani Park Cross-Country run Pozzolengo Pozzolengo Athletics Club in partnership with Pozzolengo town council Silvano Buzzacchetti: 030.9916144; 349.4351221 23 February 34th Virgiliana “Franco Bernardi A. M.” trophy race Olfino di Monzambano Cantine Gozzi Sports Club Cesare Gozzi: 0376.800377; Remo Martini: 339.6312226 8 March 9th ladies-only run Cavriana Centro Servizi C.P. Fiasp Mantova Angelo Regattieri: 0376.950201; [email protected] 16 March 34th Lugana Vineyard Walk Pozzolengo Pozzolengo Athletics Club in partnership with Pozzolengo town council Silvano Buzzacchetti: 030.9916144; 349.4351221 21 April Sanctuary Walk Pozzolo di Marmirolo Centro Servizi C.P. Fiasp Mantova Angelo Regattieri: 0376.950201; [email protected] 25 April 36th Pasculada d’la Vaca - 33rd Historic Hills Marathon Castiglione delle Stiviere La Vaca d’Main sports club Paolo Perondi: 0376.673687; 328.6252417; [email protected] 1 May 41st Wellness Walk Guidizzolo Pollo Miglioranza Villafranca sports club 0376.819455; [email protected]; Bicelli: 335.8379392; Quagliotto: 335.5457811 3rd weekend in May Primavera Pathways Ponti sul Mincio “Il Castello” cultural association Elisa Turcato: 349.5017374 29 DATE EVENT TOWN ORGANISER 1 June 25th Aloisiana Walk Castiglione delle Stiviere Castiglione Running Club 333.4363404; Andrea Beschi: 0376.632361; Luciano Maghella: 0376.631300; lucianomago@ libero.it 15 June 8th “Stravolta” run Volta Mantovana Cantine Boselli sports club [email protected]; Massimo Boselli: 0376.83409; Remo Martini: 339.6312226 29 September Red Cross Run Solferino Cantine Gozzi Sports Club Cesare Gozzi: 0376.800377; Remo Martini: 339.6312226 7 September See the Scenery Day Castiglione delle Stiviere Castiglione delle Stiviere town council – Tourism Department: 0376.679305; [email protected] Mincio Natural Park: [email protected] 21 September 34th Morainic Hills Walk Castiglione delle Stiviere Castiglione Running Club: 333.4363404; Andrea Beschi: 0376.632361; Luciano Maghella: 0376.631300; [email protected] 4 October 6th Nordic Walk with Poles Marmirolo Franco Comini: 0376.399225; [email protected] 2nd weekend in October Autumn Pathways Ponti sul Mincio “Il Castello” cultural association Elisa Turcato: 349.5017374 14 December 16th Up and Over Garda’s Hills Ponti sul Mincio Andes sports group Remo Martini: 0376.370805; 339.6312226 21 December 16 Saint Micheal Road Race Monzambano Anspi S. Michele di Monzambano Club Facebook page “Centro Parrocchiale Anspi” and “Corsa Podistica San Michele”; Fontana Luigi: 0376.809675; 339.4722571; [email protected] th 30 Salò A22 Brennero Garda LAGO DI GARDA Manerba Brescia Desenzano Verona Sirmione Peschiera A4 Montichiari Castiglione delle Stiviere Ponti sul Mincio Pozzolengo Monzambano Solferino Valeggio sul Mincio Cavriana Medole VILLAFRANCA Volta Mantovana Guidizzolo Pozzolo (Marmirolo) Colline Moreniche Goito Fiume Mincio Mantova DIRECTIONS Travelling from Milan, Venice or Trento, to get to the Morainic Hill district by Lake Garda take the A4 motorway and come off at the Desenzano, Sirmione or Peschiera exits. From the south, take the A22 Brennero-Modena motorway as far as the Mantova Nord exit then the state highway for Goito and Castiglione delle Stiviere. Verona and Brescia international airports are only 20-30km away, as are Verona, Peschiera and Desenzano del Garda train stations. 31 The area is promoted by: COLLINE MORENICHE DEL GARDA ASSOCIATION Colline Moreniche del Garda is a non-profit association established to promote tourism and cultural events in the Morainic hills by Lake Garda. The association was founded in 1987 and has grown over the years, now representing some 11 different towns: Castiglione delle Stiviere, Cavriana, Goito, Guidizzolo, Marmirolo, Medole, Monzambano, Ponti sul Mincio, Pozzolengo (the only town within the province of Brescia), Solferino, Volta Mantovana – and the Province of Mantua. The association has organized many different events and won acclaim for the high-profile exhibitions, events and shows staged, such as the “Castelli in Musica” music festival and the “MosaicoScienze” series of workshops and meetings of a scientific nature. In association with: COLLINE MORENICHE DEL GARDA LOCAL ACTION GROUP The Colline Moreniche del Garda local action group (GAL) was set up in 2009 under the European Union Leader project. The objectives of this non-profit, limited liability consortium are to encourage the start-up of new enterprise, raise awareness of the value of local resources, and bring local authorities and private businesses together. The local action group pursues these aims through development projects run with public, European and regional funding, awarded to raise the visibility of rural communities in the Colline Moreniche area. The group itself is a partnership representing both the rural communities with members from the local authorities of each of the six founding councils (Castiglione delle Stiviere, Cavriana, Monzambano, Ponti sul Mincio, Solferino, Volta Mantovana) and from Mantova provincial council - and local business interests through the presence of local business groups. Information and contact details: Colline Moreniche del Garda Association Piazza Torelli, 1 - 46040 Solferino (MN) Tel./Fax 0376.893160 [email protected] www.collinemoreniche.it PARTNERS OF THE COLLINE MORENICHE DEL GARDA ASSOCIATION: 32
Documenti analoghi
best destinations winner events
Alice Superiore - Almese - Alpette Alpignano - Andezeno - Andrate - Angrogna - Arignano Avigliana - Azeglio - Bairo - Balangero - Baldissero Canavese Baldissero Torinese - Balme - Banchette - Barba...
ancient villages
and vine. The Marche Region boasts 15 DOC
wines, 5 DOCG wines and 1 IGT wine. Certified products are increasingly growing, including six PDO and five PGI products. Old villas or
manor houses, intac...