Lombardy, known for being one of Italy’s most industrialized regions, is appreciated by tourists from all over the world for its scenic views and its cities, true treasure troves of art and history. Franciacorta with its wines, Alpine peaks, Valtellina and great lakes are just some of the things to see in this region of northern Italy.Those who find themselves visiting Cremona should know that just a stone’s throw from the “City of Nougat” is the small village of Isola Dovarese, located in the heart of the vast Po Valley, on a small terrace overlooking the course of the Oglio River, which surrounds the town on three sides.
Immagini del borgo
Historical notes
The name of the village Isola Dovarese refers to the strategic position it has always held since the earliest times: the area where the town developed led early humans to settle here, as early as the Neolithic period, to escape the increasingly frequent flooding of the Oglio River. Many rock dwellings have been found on site, just as vestiges of Celtic origin have been found on the terrace in front.
Isola Dovarese housed a late-imperial domus in the fourth century B.C., of which only a few foundations remain, and then in the early Middle Ages it became a key landing place for boats sailing between the Adriatic Sea and the Po River: don’t forget that Isola Dovarese also stood on the important communication route between Cremona, Asola and Lake Garda.
In 1322 the village, which in the meantime had developed and enlarged around the fortress and church, hosted the wedding of Filippino Gonzaga and Anna Dovara, beginning the rule of the lords of Mantua over Isola Dovarese. This bond was strengthened after the pact sanctioned in 1414 that led Isola Dovarese to become a true Mantuan enclave, surrounded by the lands of the Most Serene Venetian Republic and those of the lords of Lombardy.
After the Gonzaga came the Bozzolo and then the domains of Mary of Austria and Napoleon, and then annexed to the Kingdom of Italy in 1860.
What to see in the village
The beating heart of Isola Dovarese, a village that shows visitors the typical elegance of Gonzaga towns, is Piazza Matteotti. It was built, at the behest of Giulio Cesare Gonzaga, between 1587 and 1590, based on a design by Giulio Brunelli: what was once the clearing in front of the Roman military settlement, used to test the various techniques of attack and defense, is now an elegant and strikingly scenic place.
The 16th-century Piazza Matteotti features a large portico that runs on either side of a portal, which leads into Porta Tenca, one of the four contrade of Isola Dovarese. The square is overlooked by Palazzo Pretorio, where it is possible to visit the ancient prisons: these dark rooms still show those graffiti made by prisoners and representing the link between the Oglio River and Isola Dovarese.
A stone’s throw away is then the beautiful Church of San Nicolò, apparently quite sober in its neoclassical style but inside rich in works of art: in fact, the house of worship preserves insignia of the Gonzagas, the Annunciation by Altobello Melone and the Ecce Homo attributed to Bernardino Campi. This church is located in the Porta Tenca district, while in the San Giuseppe district stands the Oratorio di San Giuseppe of the same name: it is a hospital complex created in 1668 to house the veterans of the famous battle of Solferino and embellished inside with valuable frescoes.
Among the most enchanting places in Isola Dovarese is the Bridge of the Three Martyrs of the Resistance, also known as Ponte Vecchio: from here there is the most beautiful view of the Oglio Sud Park, a verdant oasis that preserves a great wealth of flora and fauna, particularly at its wetlands.
The month of September is one of the best times to discover Isola Dovarese, as the not-to-be-missed Palio delle Contrade takes place: for three days, the village is catapulted into the ancient medieval atmosphere at the time of the Gonzagas, among jesters, acrobats, figurants and market stalls. The Palio, which re-enacts both the wedding between Anna Dovara and Filippino Gonzaga and the arrival of the Gonzaga court in Isola Dovarese, gladdens visitors with games of challenge among the contradaioli, not to mention the chance to taste the foods of the past at the Taverne, complete with terracotta crockery and wooden cutlery.
What to do around Isola Dovarese
From Isola Dovarese it is possible to organize fun excursions for the whole family. For example, you can take a stretch of the Cremonese Taste Route in the Land of Stradivari, among villages and local specialties such as the sweet cookie Isolino or the famous pumpkin tortelli.
Those who love two wheels can instead ride the Oglio Cycle Route, which follows the course of the river that originates in Ponte di Legno, then crosses the Lombard provinces of Mantua, Cremona, Bergamo and Brescia. From Isola Dovarese, for example, you can pedal to the Pieve di Santa Maria di Comella, a Romanesque jewel in Seniga, or to the Gonzaga Palace in Ostiano, without forgetting to visit the Le Bine Nature Reserve.
Then, just 13 km from Isola Dovarese is Mina della Scala Castle, a noble palace in Casteldidone built at the end of the 16th century: the appearance is that of a country residence with rooms frescoed with mythological themes, complete with towers, a large courtyard and a beautiful Italian garden.
Village of Isola Dovarese
Municipality of Isola Dovarese
Province of Cremona
Lombardy Region
Inhabitants: 1077 isolani
Altitude center: 35 mslm
Municipality
P.zza Matteotti,1 – Tel. +39 0375 946042
- The Quinto Quarto Carnival in Isola Dovarese is an event at the end of the carnival, respecting culinary traditions that are still surprisingly alive. Among sweets and freshly made polenta, among music and songs, stories and masks, the pig lives its moment of glory and respect.
It represents one of Italy’s most traditional festivals. In fact, the event highlights Italian culinary culture and its peasant roots, offering an authentic and engaging experience.
During the three-day event, it will be possible to enjoy meat delicacies cooked according to traditional recipes. Essentially, the poor parts of the pig are used, namely: the offal, liver, heart, feet, pork rinds, tongue, kidneys and everything that in the necessity of the rural world had a value almost comparable to the more noble and valuable parts of the animal.
- Ludiluglio: The association Proloco Isola Dovarese, under the patronage of the Isola Dovarese Municipality, in collaboration with AVIS Isola Dovarese, Rally club Attilio Bettega, AUSER club, Gruppo Giovani Isolani and the four contrade organizes the Ludiluglio Isolano, performances in all senses in July on the island.
Every Saturday evening, the various island associations, taking turns, offer food and wine tours and musical entertainment in the beautiful setting of the Gonzaga square.
- The Palio delle contrade is a historical reenactment held annually on the second weekend of September, Friday through Sunday. It is a highly anticipated event by the local community and tourists who wish to immerse themselves in the history and folklore of the region. The palio re-enacts the period when Isola Dovarese belonged to the Gonzaga State in the second half of the 15th century, celebrating the coming of the Mantuan court in the form of a feast on a public square in honor of Marquis Ludovico Gonzaga and Barbara of Brandenburg.