Bosco Fontana Nature Reserve

The reserve spans 23,300 hectares of marshy forest containing Turkey oaks, pedunculate oaks, hornbeams, limes, poplars, elms, and alders near the Mincio River.

The Gonzaga family acquired this woodland between the 12th and 13th centuries, establishing it as a hunting reserve before its designation as a protected area in 1972.

The central rectangular Gonzaga hunting lodge features three tall arches and four decorative turrets, reflecting the architectural preferences of 16th-century Italian nobility.

Multiple straight paths intersect through the forest in geometric patterns, allowing visitors to explore different sections of the woodland throughout the seasons.

The reserve contains one of the last remaining examples of the original Po Valley landscape prior to agricultural development, with natural springs near the hunting lodge.

Location: Province of Mantua

Inception: 1972

GPS coordinates: 45.20176,10.74438

Latest update: May 14, 2025 04:00