Owned by “Fondazione d’Arco” of Mantua, it is now managed by the MINCIO NATURE PARK. Its name derives from the De Bertoni family which in 1500 owned an estate near to the Gonzaga property and it seems that the park itself is what remains of the Gonzaga’s hunting grounds.

il parco delle bertone

Situated within the municiipal boundaries of Goito, the park covers an area of approximately 7 hectares, and is surrounded on all sides by a fosse. The creation of the park (although there is no definite proof) is certainly work of an able planner, since all the environments, the evocative views and the play of colour obtained during the flowering period, cannot be casual. However, its present conformation seems to be no older

than a century. The Park combines an original wooded nucleus with the essences typical of a romantic 19th century park.
Another romantic feature is its small lake with an island in the centre where vegetation has developed naturally, without any human interference. Last, but not least, the late 19th-century Villa Padronale with its two out-buildings, one of which serves as the Park Centre.

FLORA
British oak, hornbeam, poplar, deodar cedar.
In the underwood: hazel, butcher’s broom, periwinkle, clematis, convallaria.

FAUNA
Birds such as robins, wrens, blue-tits, nightingales, thrushes, owls, barn owls and kingfishers.

The bridge of boats at Torre Oglio

The bridge of boats at Torre Oglio is a few hundred metres before the Oglio flows into the Po about 15 Km. from Viadana. This is an ideal spot for a day in the open air. Parking is available near to the bridge, and here you can walk along the banks to admire the singular beauty of nature in this area. The special feature of the bridge (apart from being built on barges) is that it is lowered or raised according to the level of the River Oglio. In fact, there are four different ramps to which the bridge can be “moored”.

Something else of interest are the “notches” indicated on the little white house on the banks: these indicate the level of the water during the three most catastrophic floods: 1951, 1976, 1994… you will certainly remain surprised. This is an excellent place from which to observe herons and egrets fishing from the side of the Oglio.

Following the road from San Michele in Bosco to Cesole, all through the year you can see grey herons, egrets and white herons in the surrounding fields.

After the boat bridge, you arrive at the crossroad for San Matteo delle Chiaviche where you should turn for Dosolo and after leaving the riverside, on your left you will find a fosse populated by grey herons and gulls. Birdwatching enthusiasts should come with binoculars to enjoy the spectacular sights offered by this fascinating area of the Mantua Province.