Pilgrims follow Via Molinara towards Correggio Micheli and, walking along the embankment, arrive at the road bridge that will take them to San Benedetto Po. Alternatively, some private operators offer transport by water or land to reach the other side of the River Po on request.
Once on the opposite bank, walk along the embankment that follows the large meander of the river, a slow and contemplative walk through cultivated fields and the changing reflections of the water. Pass through the village of Gorgo, with its trattorias and small but interesting Astronomical Observatory, before finally arriving in San Benedetto Po, where the profile of the Abbey stands out on the horizon like a spiritual beacon. The last few hundred metres are covered under wide skies, often buffeted by the wind, which accompanies the traveller amid the scent of poplars and the rustling of the reeds. Silence becomes a trusted companion and emotions mingle with anticipation. Every step is a return to oneself.

What to see along the way

• San Benedetto Po: Abbey of San Benedetto in Polirone Founded in 1007 by Tedaldo di Canossa, the abbey was called the ‘Montecassino of the North’ due to its spiritual and political importance. You enter a monumental complex that is home to silent cloisters, grandiose frescoes, long corridors, ancient dormitories and a basilica that enchants with its majesty and light. A stop that leaves a mark on the heart and spirit. The atmosphere is one of suspended time, where every stone tells of centuries of prayer, study and hospitality. In the milder months, it is not uncommon to encounter musicians rehearsing in the courtyard or artists intent on portraying the sculpted capitals. Entering the refectory, walking in the cloister, sitting on a bench worn by time: everything invites you to slow down, reflect and feel the breath of history.
• San Benedetto Po: Church of Santa Maria in Valverde Surrounded by meadows and accessible via a short detour, this small private church tells an ancient story. Its Gothic portal, octagonal bell tower and 15th-century frescoes make it a place of tranquillity and beauty, in perfect harmony with the surrounding rural landscape. As you approach, you can smell the tall grass and hear the birds singing. A stop that offers itself in silence, like a gift for those who know how to slow down. Walking around, the greenery embraces the traveller in an almost motionless landscape, broken only by the sound of gravel underfoot or the cawing of a crow in the distance.
• Gorgo: Astronomical Observatory A small jewel that gazes at the sky. It houses a 9-metre planetarium, telescopes and permanent exhibitions, and is a reference point for scientific dissemination. In summer, guided observations offer thrills under the stars. At sunset, with tired feet and a mind full of images, looking up and losing yourself among the constellations becomes a precious part of the walking experience.

The river landscape

The silent protagonist of this stage is the River Po. Immense and majestic, it has been a vital artery for transport, Etruscan colonisation and the great trade routes between the Adriatic and the plains. Its banks tell of centuries of land reclamation, of the civilisations that have inhabited it and of the engineering battles to contain its floods.
The river vegetation, although modified by intensive agriculture, preserves valuable naturalistic islands with poplar groves, floodplain woods and renaturalised strips. There are numerous fish species, including catfish, pike, catfish, and the invasive Louisiana red swamp crayfish. It is an environment to be explored with respect, listening to the breath of the earth and water. In spring, the air is filled with the fragrance of acacia and river humidity; in summer, the days pass slowly under blue skies and beating sun. In autumn, fog envelops the fields and every sound becomes muffled and intimate. It is a landscape that does not impose itself, but allows itself to be discovered slowly, with patience and wonder.

For those who walk

This stage is a passage between worlds. From the power of water to the solidity of stone, from river locks to abbey cloisters. You enter San Benedetto Po as if crossing a threshold: that between a frenetic life and a slower, deeper, more essential dimension.
Here, where Matilda of Canossa chose to be buried, the journey takes on the flavour of memory and gratitude. A short but intense stage. To be savoured step by step. The distant sound of a bell, the song of a titmouse, the scent of must or wet earth after the rain… these are the details that remain in your heart once you reach the Abbey square.
At the end of the stage, visit the Polironiano Civic Museum, where rural and monastic culture merge in a story made up of tools, knowledge and spirituality. Some lose themselves in silent prayer, sitting on a bench in the basilica, while others treat themselves to a hot meal in one of the local inns, enjoying the strong flavours of a cuisine linked to the land and the seasons.
Welcome to San Benedetto Po.Your journey along the Via Carolingia continues.

Alternative routes and variations

1. Variation towards Revere
   From Governolo to Revere along the left bank of the Po: 20 km in 5 hours on secondary roads, passing through Sustinente, Serravalle a Po and Ostiglia. This route connects with the Oltrepo’ area and the railway line. The iron bridge connecting Revere to Ostiglia crosses the Po like a thread suspended between past and present.
2. Via Matildica del Volto Santo
   A route connected to the Via Carolingia, offering more extensive pilgrimage possibilities.

Alternative routes and variations

1. Cycle paths of the Oltrepò Mantua