The itinerary, recognized by the Council of Europe, connects municipalities across several European countries, promoting culture, tourism, religion, and landscape. The Municipality and Province of Mantua have been part of the project since 2008. The Mantuan section starts from Castiglione delle Stiviere and crosses various towns until reaching San Benedetto Po and the Rocca di Stellata.

In 2019, the Diocese of Mantua granted a plot of land to create a medieval garden inspired by the Capitulare de Villis. Funding obtained from the Ministry of Tourism through the new project “Experience the Nature and History of the Carolingian Route – Mantuan Section” has breathed new life into the original ambitious initiative, by enhancing lesser-known cultural heritage sites and natural areas, privileging secondary paths for walkers and cyclists, thus allowing for a slow and immersive travel experience.

Retracing the Carolingian Route is also a way of traveling back in time, along paths that seek to reconstruct ancient roads now vanished. The essence of the natural landscape remains the most authentic link to the Carolingian era, beyond today’s urban transformations.