Sermide: Gonzaga Tower, Churches and Nature

Sermide between Gonzaga history and the Po landscape

Sermide combines traces of the Gonzaga era, religious buildings and a landscape shaped by the Po and its embankments. This gives you a destination with a variety of facets: in the town and at its historic sites, the focus is on the citadel, churches and industrial history; in the Parco Golenale del Gruccione and the Digagnola nature oasis, wetlands, typical fauna and paths for walks and bike rides take centre stage.

La Torre and the churches of Sermide

La Torre, the Gonzaga Tower, is the only surviving tower of the citadel, which was built by the municipality of Mantua around the year 1000 and fortified by Ludovico Gonzaga after 1370. The tower bears an elegant, recently restored terracotta coat of arms of the Gonzaga family. If you would like to visit this site, access is available by prior reservation.

Another distinctive building is the parish church of Saints Peter and Paul. The Neo-Gothic building was constructed from 1865 to 1871, has three naves and measures 65 metres in length, 27 metres in width and 21 metres in height. Its clearly defined dates and architectural features make the church a distinct architectural focus within your tour of Sermide.

East of Sermide, on the right bank of the Po, stands the Capuchin church. It is the surviving part of a monastery founded in 1650 and contains a Rococo-era tabernacle. The Teleferica offers another perspective on the history of the town: it is a rare example of industrial archaeology along the Po and was originally part of a facility supplied across the river for transporting coal and other materials to the now-disused sugar factory. Cultural gatherings are held in the Teleferica hall, located on the Po; use is available by prior reservation.

Natural areas, embankments and cycling routes

The Parco Golenale del Gruccione is a “Parco Locale di Interesse Sovracomunale”. It was recognised in 2005 and is located in Lombardy, in the municipality of Sermide. The Digagnola nature oasis complements this landscape area with 17 hectares in a strip of land between the Argine Maestro and the Argine Golenale, extending towards the municipality of Felonica. Vegetation and fauna typical of wetlands are concentrated there.

The Digagnola nature oasis can be reached by bicycle via the “Digagnola bike” route, which begins on Via Argine Po. In Sermide, attractive walking and cycling routes run along the embankments of the Po. During the summer season, people walk along the embankments of the Po in the Parco Golenale del Gruccione. This allows you to treat historic sightseeing and outdoor activities as different focuses of your travel plans without having to separate the two themes.

Plan your visit

Prior reservation is part of planning a visit to La Torre and the Teleferica. Depending on your interests, you can therefore focus your stay more on culture or more on walks and bike rides.

Further places to include in your travel plans: Gonzaga, Buscoldo, Virgilio, Davini, Motteggiana, Monzambano, Eremo, Castel Goffredo.

To the main travel overview: Mantua.