Curtatone, a charming town located on the southwestern outskirts of Mantua, is a place rich in history, tradition and devotion. With an area of 67.47 km² and a population of about 14,796 inhabitants (Istat 2018 data), this municipality stands out for its characteristic hamlets, numerous courts and villages that preserve an inestimable historical and cultural heritage. The municipality was awarded the title of “City” by the President of the Republic Carlo Azeglio Ciampi in 2002, recognizing the importance of this territory in the context of the province of Mantua.
Curtatone, located between the Mincio and Po rivers, is a strategic territory that played a decisive role in local history, especially during the Risorgimento period. The ancient defense system, the Serraglio, built in the 13th century to protect Mantua, testifies to the importance of this municipality as a bulwark for the city in past centuries.
Historical Villages and Courts
The municipality consists of different fractions, each with its own identity. Among the best known are Buscoldo, Grazie, San Silvestro, Levata and Montanara, each with historic buildings and churches that tell centuries of history. Among the artistic pearls of Curtatone we find the late Baroque church of San Marco Evangelista in Buscoldo, which houses valuable works of art, such as the altarpiece by Antonio Brunetti and a valuable restored organ by Ferdinando Montesanti.
The History of the Risorgimento and the Places of Memory
Curtatone has a deep connection with the history of the Risorgimento, thanks to the famous battle of 29 May 1848, which took place during the First War of Independence. This fight, although won by the Austrian army, slowed down the enemy's advance, giving the Piedmontese troops time to regroup. Today, the tourist route of the Risorgimento battle allows you to visit the places that were the scene of this historic event, including the Spanish Court, where Tuscan volunteers sided against the Austrians.
Grazie: A Village of Devotion and Natural Beauty
The hamlet of Grazie, with its famous Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, has been a place of Marian devotion for centuries. Every year, pilgrims go to the Sanctuary, especially during the Feast of the Assumption in mid-August, to renew their faith. The Sanctuary, built between 1399 and 1406, houses valuable works, including a panel of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Child dating back to the 14th century and the tomb of the famous humanist Baldassare Castiglione.
Grazie is also a reference point for ecotourism, thanks to its location in the Mincio Regional Park. The Valli del Mincio Nature Reserve, which extends within the municipality, is an internationally important wetland, known for its biodiversity. Boat trips along the Mincio River offer the opportunity to admire extraordinary flora and fauna, including water lilies, herons and swans.
A Journey into the Past and Present
Curtatone is a place that knows how to tell its story through the stones, traditions and testimonies of a community that has been able to preserve its identity. His story is also a story of sacrifice and resistance, as evidenced by the Silver Medal for Civil Merit received in 2007. Today, Curtatone is a municipality that looks to the future with the commitment to enhance its natural, historical and cultural heritage.
Whether it's walking the historic streets, visiting churches or immersing yourself in nature, Curtatone is a corner of Lombardy that deserves to be discovered, celebrating the past while embracing the challenges of the present.