Pomponesco, the ancient "ideal city" of the Gonzaga

Pomponesco owes its name to the Roman Pompea family, present in the area as early as the 2nd century AD, as attested by a funerary inscription discovered in the 16th century and now preserved in Mantua.

During the Middle Ages, the village was controlled by the Benedictine monks of Leno, the Este family of Ferrara, and the bishop of Cremona, until 1339, when it passed under the rule of the Gonzaga, lords of Mantua.

In the 15th century, it became part of the cadet branch of the Gonzaga of Gazzuolo and Bozzolo, inhabited by farmers, ropemakers, and tanners. In 1579, Marquis Giulio Cesare Gonzaga transformed it into an “ideal city,” with a squared urban plan around a hexagonal castle, establishing the county and a mint. Its decline began in 1593, with the transfer of the court to Bozzolo, and continued with the crisis of navigation on the Po River.

From 1707, the village came under Austrian rule, thriving in river trade of grain and livestock, which attracted Jewish families, including that of the writer Alberto Cantoni. In 1818, the Po embankment was reinforced with bricks from the demolished castle.

What to see in Pomponesco

Pomponesco is a village with an orthogonal layout, the result of Giulio Cesare Gonzaga’s urban planning at the end of the 16th century. The straight streets, arcades, enclosed courtyards, and rows of trees reflect the agricultural history of the territory.

Piazza XXIII Aprile, surrounded by porticoed buildings dating from 1590–1630, preserves its original layout despite the destruction of the Gonzaga castle. Overlooking the square are the town hall and the archpriestal church of Santa Felicita and the Seven Martyr Brothers, with three round-arched naves and coffered ceilings.

Not to be missed are Palazzo Cantoni and the small Jewish cemetery, where the writer Alberto Cantoni is buried; the painter Gerolamo Trenti also spent his final years here, painting the surrounding countryside. Among the minor attractions worth visiting are the early 20th-century theater and the parish church of Santa Maria Assunta in Correggioverde. Around the village, barns, farmyards, and rural buildings tell the story of the once-great agricultural civilization, completing an itinerary of history, art, and architecture.

Traditions and events in Pomponesco

Pomponesco enlivens its village with traditional and cultural events throughout the year. At Easter, the evocative Living Way of the Cross is celebrated, while the Feast of Santa Felicita, on the second Sunday of July, attracts visitors with markets and performances.

In August, the Festa del Luadèl celebrates the typical puff pastry bread made with lard. At the beginning of September, the Renaissance Festival takes place, with historical reenactments, and in November, the Farmers’ Thanksgiving Festival pays homage to the land’s products and the local agricultural tradition.

What to see around the village

Just a short distance from Pomponesco lies a Renaissance city that has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2008: Sabbioneta, also included in the circuit of The Most Beautiful Villages of Italy, just like Pomponesco. A must-see stop, with attractions such as the Teatro all’Antica, one of the first modern-era theater buildings commissioned by the Gonzaga, and the Galleria degli Antichi, which houses a collection of hunting trophies and ancient marbles.

In addition, the Po embankments offer numerous scenic views to admire on foot or by bicycle. For lovers of nature and wildlife, just 6 km from Pomponesco lies the Garzaia di Pomponesco Nature Reserve. With its rich vegetation of white willow, it is home to numerous egret nests.

Set off for Pomponesco and enjoy a blend of history, culture, and nature!

Cover photo credits: Italia.it