San Benedetto Po
San Benedetto Po: history and culture
San Benedetto Po is a municipality located in the province of Mantua, in Lombardy, with a population of about 6672 inhabitants. The name of the municipality comes from Latin 'Benedictus', in honor of Saint Benedict of Nursia. Its history is inextricably linked to the birth, life, development, and Napoleonic suppression of the Abbey of San Benedetto in Polirone, one of the most important Cluniac abbeys among the over one thousand that arose in the Middle Ages.
History of the abbey
The monastery was founded in 1007 by the Canossa family, who then continued its growth with donations of land. Over the centuries, periods of decline alternated with moments of renewed splendor, thanks also to the attention of the famous Matilda of Canossa; at her death, the woman wanted to be buried inside the abbey. In her lifetime, Matilda gave the abbey to the Pope, who entrusted it to Hugh of Cluny. In 1634, Pope Urban VIII bought Matilda's mortal remains to be buried in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, where they still remain in a mausoleum designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
In 1336, to allow for the reclamation of the San Benedetto Po area, the course of the Secchia was diverted, making it flow into the Po at Mirasole. Since 1420, at the behest of the Gonzaga family, Polirone passed to the Congregation of the Basilica of Santa Giustina in Padua, which brought, among others, Giulio Romano to participate in the restoration work of the Basilica of San Benedetto. The abbey was closed by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1797.
Monuments and places of interest
San Benedetto Po has become an important tourist center thanks to the visit of the monastic complex, the impressive Giuliesque basilica, the Polironiano Civic Museum with its ethnographic collections, and for its food and wine excellences. The municipality is awarded the recognition "The most beautiful villages in Italy". Among the monuments and places of interest, we find:
- Abbey of San Benedetto in Polirone
- Polironiano Civic Museum
- Museum of Peasant Civilization
- Antonio Ruggero Maria Giorgi House Museum
- Palazzo Gonzaga di Vescovato (Portiolo), in Portiolo
In addition, within the territory of San Benedetto Po, there is the Foce Secchia Floodplain Park, a protected natural area.
Culture
San Benedetto Po has been chosen as a location for many famous films. In 1962, Dino Risi shot some sequences of the film 'The March on Rome', with Ugo Tognazzi and Vittorio Gassman; in 1963, San Benedetto Po was the location of Antonio Pietrangeli's film 'The Visit', with Sandra Milo. In 1983, instead, Terence Hill shot the final scene of the film 'Don Camillo' there.
Demographic evolution
As of July 31, 2018, San Benedetto Po had a population of 7,020 inhabitants.
Symbols
The municipality's gonfalon is a blue colored flag.
Conclusions
San Benedetto Po is a municipality rich in history and culture, with the ancient Abbey of San Benedetto in Polirone as its main tourist attraction. Among monuments, museums, and protected natural areas, the municipality offers a complete experience to visitors. Not surprisingly, the recognition "The most beautiful villages in Italy" attests to its cultural and aesthetic importance. For these reasons, we recommend visiting San Benedetto Po if you want to discover places rich in history and culture in the province of Mantua.
