The best traffic-free bike rides around Pontevico

Pontevico is an Italian municipality of about 7,150 inhabitants located at the southern end of the province of Brescia, in Lombardy. The village stands in a historically strategic position along the Oglio river, which marks the natural border with the province of Cremona. The name derives from the Latin Pons Vici, which literally means "bridge of the village". The municipal territory is predominantly flat and includes the hamlets of Bettegno, Campazzo, Chiesuola and Toro. Local economy is historically divided between a strong agricultural vocation and an industrial textile development linked to the Bassa Bresciana district. The center is about 32 kilometers from the provincial capital Brescia and is easily reachable by car via the A21 motorway or by the Brescia-Cremona railway line.

Always a happy presence and a passage in many of our tours, I think it is one of the most photographed highlights

The hydraulic junction of the Tombe Morte-Tredici Ponti constitutes the most important concentration of artificial waterways in the province of Cremona, irrigating approximately 85,000 hectares of countryside. Here the Naviglio Civico di Cremona, the Naviglio Grande Pallavicino and the Canale Vacchelli intersect, the latter pouring almost all of its flow into the Naviglio Pallavicino, the Naviglio Civico and a dozen irrigation ditches through an impressive system of locks. Finally, a spillway, built between 1968 and 1981, detaches from the junction, which discharges any excess flow from the Naviglio Civico, the Naviglio Pallavicino and the Vacchelli into the Oglio river. Two different hypotheses have been made regarding the origin of the name, the first would originate from the term tomba which is synonymous with siphon, a hydraulic element that connects two conduits. Probably some of these artifacts would have fallen into disuse, hence the adjective death. Another hypothesis is linked to the discovery of several dozen burials dating back to the late Roman era.

The intersection of these channels is very suggestive

Nestled in the tranquility of the Lombardy plain, Ostiano Castle is an unmissable stop for lovers of cycling and gravel. Along this trail, you cross dirt roads and suggestive paths that wind through fields and small villages, offering a perfect mix of history, nature and adventure. The castle, with its medieval charm, represents a unique point of interest, ideal for a panoramic stop and an immersion in local history. There is no shortage of technical and fun sections that make the route stimulating, perfect for those looking for a complete and engaging cycling experience.

Isola Dovarese is a gem set along the course of the Oglio River, a village that proudly preserves its historical soul. Walking along its streets means immersing yourself in a past made of Renaissance architecture and atmospheres of times gone by, where every stone tells of ancient glories and community life. The beating heart of the village is the splendid Piazza Matteotti, a large quadrangular space surrounded by porticoes, designed by the architects of the Vignola school. Here, every year, the Palio di Isola Dovarese brings the seventeenth century back to life: an event that transforms the village into a large open-air theater, among period costumes, flags in the wind and historical reenactments. But Isola Dovarese is also nature and slowness: the Oglio River embraces the village and invites contemplation, the discovery of paths that wind through woods and countryside. A place where history meets quiet and where every journey becomes an experience. (Anna)

to do 🔝🔝🔝

Square where they hold the goose palio