Discover Roverbella: Culture and Good Food

If you’re looking for a hotel in Roverbella, you can choose your destination based on a range of interests: architectural history, an annual event, rural experiences and regional produce each offer a different focus. Roverbella is associated with specific attractions such as the Fiera dei cinque campanili and the growing area of Vialone Nano rice. Other places, such as Castiglione Mantovano and Canedole, have their own architectural and historical points of interest.

Culture and architectural history

The Santuario di Santa Rita houses a statue of Saint Rita, donated by Angelina Arcari on 22 May 1930. Villa Gobio is another architectural landmark: it is predominantly late Baroque in character and dates from the 18th century. Notable details include stucco decorations and a staircase with a marble balustrade; elements of the staircase’s design date from the first half of the 18th century. The balustrade forms the staircase railing and complements the stucco as a distinctive architectural feature. Parts of the buildings were used as the “Napoleon” dance hall in the 1960s. A large extension is intended for public entertainment, a theatre, a dance hall and ancillary rooms. The complex is now abandoned.

In Castiglione Mantovano, Corte Alta is a rural farm complex built between the 16th century and 1775. Remains dating from the 16th century are adorned with heraldic coats of arms. Corte Alta is now used for storage. Corte Santa Lucia in Castiglione Mantovano includes a chapel on the Cisa, a work by G. B. Vergani dating from the mid-19th century. The dates differ: Corte Alta was built between the 16th century and 1775, while the chapel dates from the mid-19th century.

The Rocchetta di Castiglione Mantovano is an ancient castle with two towers, surrounded by lush, overgrown vegetation. While Villa Gobio is notable for its stucco and marble balustrade, the Rocchetta is defined by its towers and vegetation. In Canedole, Corte Grande acquired its present 19th-century appearance through expansion work carried out after the estate was purchased by the Barons Franchetti. Palazzo Custoza is associated with a distinct historical memory from 1848: the future King Victor Emmanuel II stayed there.

Events and rural experiences

The Fiera dei cinque campanili takes place in Roverbella every July. The shared fair includes various events. If you’d like to plan your trip around it, check the specific event dates in advance.

At Corte le Faraone, farmer Sergio leads visits to see the animals and orchards. Trails and workshops are tailored to the children’s ages, the needs of the groups and school programmes. The seasonal grape programme includes a visit to the vineyard and tasting the fruit. It also includes stomping grapes with the feet in vats, using traditional tools, pressing the grapes and processing the must into Sugolo. As this is a seasonal programme, it’s advisable to enquire in advance about current dates.

Everyday life and regional produce

The Biblioteca Comunale di Roverbella offers more than 14,000 books and around 300 audiovisual items free of charge. You can borrow them or use them on site. Books and audiovisual items make up two distinct parts of the library’s collection.

The Latteria Roverbella’s factory shop sells dairy products as well as regional cured meats, wines and craft beers. Vialone Nano rice, used to make Mantuan risotto, is another part of the local food tradition. Its growing area extends from Goito through Roverbella, Castelbelforte and Bigarello to Villimpenta. Roverbella is therefore part of the specifically named growing area.

For the wider travel guide: Mantua.