Pietole: Forte di Pietole, Virgilio Museum and Natural Area

Pietole between Fortress, Museum and Landscape

Forte di Pietole was designed in 1802 by the French General François de Chasseloup-Laubat to defend Mantua against attacks from the south and regulate the waters of the Mincio River for military purposes. The complex includes bastions, earthworks, wet and dry moats, counter-scarp galleries, covered ways and casemates, and is located in a 33-hectare lowland forest.

Virgilio and Archaeological Heritage

Forte di Pietole is located in the village of Pietole, ancient Andes, which tradition identifies as the birthplace of the poet Virgilio in 70 BC. At the Museo di Pietole – Collezione Ugo Celada da Virgilio, the collection comprises 56 works by the hyperrealist painter Ugo Celada da Virgilio. The Collezione Archeologica Prati includes cremation urns from a necropolis dating from the Middle to Late Bronze Age, discovered in Pietole at the end of the 19th century. The exhibition at Parco Museo Virgilio also includes Roman artefacts from nearby excavation sites. The Sasso di Virgilio is currently on display as part of the museum tour at Parco Museo Virgilio – Forte di Pietole.

Exhibitions with Different Approaches

The exhibition at Parco Museo Virgilio uses video mapping, QR codes, viewing devices, immersive and interactive projections, visual models and fragrance diffusers. The green area is equipped with information and signage for exploring the flora, fauna and insects; this also includes bees, which can be observed in transparent beehives. The renovated Museo di Pietole – Collezione Ugo Celada da Virgilio promotes exhibitions by local artists and organises meetings to promote contemporary art in the region and the study of the poet Virgilio. The parish church of Pietole provides another architectural highlight: it is dedicated to Saint Celestine I and was built in 1935 to a design by Vergani in the Neoclassical style, with the floor plan of a Greek cross.

Natural Area and Trails

Forte di Pietole and its nature reserve are located in Parco del Mincio and border the Vallazza Site of Community Importance. The garden surrounding the Monumento a Virgilio Pietole was planted with tree species that Virgilio celebrated in his works. Cycle routes such as the Ciclovia del Sole, also known as EuroVelo 7, run through Parco del Mincio. Parco Museo Virgilio can be reached via footpaths, cycle paths and river-cruise landing stages.

Step-Free Access at Museo di Pietole

The Museo di Pietole – Collezione Ugo Celada da Virgilio has step-free access via a ramp and an internal lift, as well as accessible toilets.

More destinations for planning your trip: Cesole, Castel Dʼario, Ostiglia, Castel Goffredo, Barche, Virgilio, Porto Mantovano, Monzambano

To the main travel overview: Mantua.