The village is left behind along Via Argine Po, a road that slowly moves away from the built-up area and plunges into a vast, silent plain. This is the heart of the Mantua truffle territory: the woods and sandy soils between Revere and Sermide are in fact the ideal habitat for this precious underground fungus, which has made Borgofranco sul Po famous as the small ‘Truffle Town’.
Country lanes lead to the quiet, intimate village of Bonizzo and then to Borgofranco, where time seems to pass at the pace of the seasons and agricultural work. Here you can breathe in the authenticity of rural life and, if you happen to be there at the right time, you can visit the truffle fair with tastings and market exhibitions. The route continues along the riverbank, between rows of poplar trees and glimpses of the water, until you reach Carbonara di Po.
On the outskirts of the village lies the surprising Isola Boscone Nature Reserve, one of the largest natural lowland woods in Lombardy. Managed by LIPU, the reserve is a true paradise for birdwatchers: here you can see herons, night herons, bee-eaters and other migratory species nesting among the branches. Along the dirt paths that cross it, the silence is broken only by the rustling of leaves and the calls of birds.
Returning to the main embankment, continue towards Sermide, crossing a stretch marked by large land reclamation works, testimony to the millennial relationship between man and water. Just before entering the village, you will come across the old cableway, once used to transport sugar from the Eridania sugar factory to the boats on the river: a symbol of local industry, now an industrial memory overlooking the Po.
The entrance to Sermide is gentle and quiet. Before reaching the centre, you come to the river area of the Nautica: a green and relaxing area, a meeting point for sports enthusiasts, families and travellers. It is the ideal place for a refreshing break, surrounded by trees, water and wide open spaces.
Sermide is an important agricultural centre, famous for its melons, sweet onions and the quality of its crops. The historic centre is built around the main square, where the large parish church of Saints Peter and Paul stands. The neo-Romanesque building was constructed in the 19th century on the ruins of the previous 15th-century church.
A short distance away, the Gonzaga civic tower, all that remains of the ancient fortified castle, stands elegantly against the urban skyline and is now connected to the town hall. Continuing up the embankment towards Felonica, you can visit the Cappuccini church, with its former 17th-century convent and a spiritual atmosphere of great charm.
The area between Revere and Sermide is dotted with wetlands, oxbow lakes and riparian woods. These habitats, as well as being a refuge for many animal species, play a fundamental role in regulating the microclimate and protecting the soil from erosion.
The floodplain landscape, with its seasonal variations, tells the story of an ancient natural cycle, in which water, vegetation and fauna dance in a fragile and precious balance. In spring, the banks are tinged with bright green, summer explodes with the chirping of cicadas and clear skies, while autumn offers golden atmospheres and light mists.
Walking here means immersing yourself in a dimension where nature is not a backdrop but the protagonist. A living theatre where every sound, colour and smell speaks to the pilgrim, restoring a sense of slowness and essentiality. It is an experience that nourishes the body and the spirit.

What to see along the way

• Carbonara di Po: Boscone Island 130 hectares of lowland forest on the banks of the Po, a magical place for nature lovers. Once degraded, it has been regenerated thanks to the commitment of the local community and today is home to extraordinary biodiversity.
• Sermide: Gruccione Floodplain Park A protected area of over 500 hectares between Sermide and Felonica, home to the colourful bee-eater and other rare bird species. The Digagnola Oasis, with its circular trail, is perfect for a walk or a contemplative break.
• Sermide: Cableway An ancient industrial plant linked to the local sugar factory, today a vestige of industrial archaeology that tells the story of Sermide’s productive past in the 20th century.
• Sermide e Felonica: Church of Saints Peter and Paul The religious heart of the community, built in 1871 in a mixed Lombard style. Imposing, bright and rich in history.
• Sermide: Gonzaga Civic Tower A witness to Sermide’s fortified past, today it stands guard over the square and is linked to the town hall.
• Santa Croce: Church of Santa Croce Founded in 1070 by Matilda of Canossa, it preserves 16th-century frescoes and traces of its origins as a Benedictine grange.
• Borgofranco sul PoTRU.MU. Bonizzo Truffle Museum Museum dedicated to the botanical, biological, and cultural aspects of truffles and to research and development in truffle cultivation.

The landscape of the Po

Along this stage, the Po is a constant presence, sometimes visible, sometimes only perceived among the poplars or beyond the embankment. Here, the river is slow, wide and silent. It is a natural corridor where biodiversity coexists with culture and history. The Oltrepò Mantovano park system, with over 9,000 hectares of protected land, is the result of an alliance between nature and the community.
Walking between Revere and Sermide is like immersing yourself in the rhythms of the earth: the scent of cut grass, the flight of egrets, the sun filtering through the branches. It is an invitation to slow down and listen to the landscape. Here, time takes on another meaning and nature becomes a teacher of silence and wonder.

The meaning of the path

This penultimate stage is a hymn to patience and everyday beauty. After the splendour of Gonzaga architecture, the journey becomes intimate and natural. You enter the landscape with respect, as guests. Sermide marks an important threshold: from here, you can already see Felonica, the last stop on the journey.
Welcome to Sermide. The river accompanies you once again. The Via Carolingia continues.