Discover Ostiglia

Ostiglia lies on the left bank of the Po and is crossed by the ancient Via Claudia Augusta Padana. The town offers several themes to consider when planning a trip: archaeological finds and medieval architectural history, the story of Arnoldo Mondadori, a cycle path along a former railway line, and protected wetlands with opportunities for birdwatching. This allows you to weigh culture, activity and nature as different reasons for a stay.

Historical traces in Ostiglia

Only three towers remain of the historic castle: the Campanaria, the dell’Orologio and the delle Prigioni. The Museo delle Torri is housed in the first two surviving towers and the walkway connecting them. The finds on display illustrate Ostiglia’s history from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. The architecture and exhibits thus offer two different ways to explore the town’s history. Check the museum’s visiting options in advance.

The archaeological collection at the Museo civico archeologico includes finds from the Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman period. Two halls are dedicated to these eras; a third large room is reserved for exhibitions and an educational area. The Museo Archeologico has been closed indefinitely following the 2012 earthquake. Check its reopening status before planning a visit.

Another historical highlight is the Palazzina Mondadori. The restored Liberty-style building housed Arnoldo Mondadori’s first printing works. It also contains his personal library of around 1,000 books, some signed by their respective authors. Classrooms, multimedia rooms and exhibition spaces are also part of the Palazzina. If you are interested in the history of publishing, you can explore the printing works, the library and the building’s different functions. Find out about access arrangements before visiting.

The two religious buildings also represent different periods of construction. The Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta dates from the end of the 19th century. Its notable features include a large Palladian-style floor with three mosaic pieces set into it. The Santuario della Beata Vergine is in the village of Comuna near Ostiglia, dates back to the end of the 14th century and was redesigned during the Renaissance by Giulio Romano. The architectural history and the church floor’s design offer specific subjects that can be explored independently of one another.

Wetlands and birdwatching

The Paludi di Ostiglia are home to 175 bird species. The wetland is part of the Natura 2000 network and is among Italy’s internationally important wetlands. Birdwatchers can use hides and telescopes. The species and viewing facilities mentioned give this natural attraction a distinct place in your trip planning.

A small island of around 37 hectares lies in the Po riverbed between Ostiglia and Revere. At low water, it can be reached on foot or by boat, so access depends on the water level. Check conditions before travelling. The island is designated as a Sito di Importanza Comunitario (SIC) and a Zona di Protezione Speciale (ZPS), and is part of the European ecological network Natura 2000. This makes it possible to distinguish clearly between access, which depends on water levels, and the area’s protected status.

Cycle path along a former railway line

The former military railway connecting Treviso and Ostiglia has been converted into a cycle path. The Ostiglia–Treviso cycle path is flat and tree-lined; it runs mostly along paved roads or gravel paths. These details describe both the character of the route and its surface, helping you consider a cycling trip as a separate part of your itinerary. Unlike the individual historic buildings, the focus here is on a continuous route.

Discover more destinations: Scorzarolo, Piubega, Pietole, Canneto Sull'oglio, Marmirolo, Mantova, Castiglione Delle Stiviere, Sustinente.

For the main travel overview: Mantua.