L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16 2023 www.italoamericano.org 10 L'Italo-Americano S a b b i o n e t a i s a peaceful town rich in history and art, located within the lush plains of the Lombardy region in North- ern Italy. It belongs to the province of Mantua, a city as steeped in history as Sab- bioneta itself. Located about 30 kilometers north of the well-known city of Parma, and not far from the north- e r n b a n k o f t h e P o R i v e r , Sabbioneta enjoys a prime g e o g r a p h i c a l l o c a t i o n . Despite its modest size — at the end of 2021, it was home to a close-knit community of around 4,100 — this quaint t o w n h o l d s a p r e s t i g i o u s position on the UNESCO W o r l d H e r i t a g e L i s t alongside Mantua, thanks to its exemplary embodiment of Renaissance urban planning theories, that were far ahead of their time . Today, locals c h e r i s h a n d m a i n t a i n t h e town's historic charm and cultural heritage , and are rightly proud of it. Sabbioneta is the brain- child of Vespasiano Gon- zaga, who was born in 1531 into the illustrious Gonzaga f a m i l y , a l i n e a g e d e e p l y entrenched in Italian nobility with roots tracing back to the e a r l y d a y s o f L o m b a r d y ' s political and cultural promi- nence. The Gonzagas were known for their patronage of the arts and their strategic p o l i t i c a l a c u m e n , w h i c h played a pivotal role in shap- ing the socio-political land- s c a p e o f t h e r e g i o n . H i s vision for Sabbioneta was not just as a town but as a cradle for the enlightened minds of t h e t i m e . I m a g i n e d a s a haven, Gonzaga dreamed of c r e a t i n g a u t o p i a w h e r e a r t i s t s , s c i e n t i s t s , a n d thinkers could flourish under a patron's benevolent gaze, free from the clutches of the era's socio-political tumult. The groundwork for this ideal city started in 1556 and saw its completion in 1591. Within the span of these 35 years, Sabbioneta became the tangible embodiment of the Renaissance ethos, and its architectural anatomy was developed to meet this vision: defensive walls stood as silent sentinels guarding the city, while a grid pattern of streets facilitated a seam- less urban development and made it easy for people to move around. T h e c i t y s c a p e w a s a d o r n e d w i t h a n a r r a y o f p u b l i c s p a c e s a n d a w e - inspiring monuments, each a q u i e t t e s t i m o n y t o t h e Renaissance's "ideal city" concept that sought to bal- ance the aesthetic with the f u n c t i o n a l . I n d e e d , S a b - bioneta's urban blueprint not only served as a pioneer- ing model for contemporary European city planning but also left a mark in the histo- ry of European architecture, w i t h a r i p p l e e f f e c t t h a t influenced urban develop- m e n t p a r a d i g m s f o r c e n - turies. That's why visitors of Sab- bioneta often say that this is a timeless place to be. Who wouldn't feel like stepping back in time while walking through its historic streets or visiting some of its artistic landmarks? Among them, we should certainly mention the Teatro Olimpico, a beautiful example of theater architecture from the end of the 16th century. This is a very unique structure, as it was the first free-standing theatre built, featuring a bal- cony of statues for visitors to see . Another interesting spot definitely worth a visit is the Antique Gallery, known as the third longest room in Italy. Duke Vespasiano Gon- zaga once filled this long hall w i t h a r c h a e o l o g i c a l t r e a - s u r e s , t o s h o w c a s e t h e town's history and love for art and culture . And if guid- ed tours are your thing, you can discover Sabbioneta and some secrets about its histo- ry with the Mantova Centro Storico walking tour, which allows visitors to learn more about the town's rich history and architectural features, offering a closer look at its past. Of course, no Italian trip would be complete without a g o o d m e a l t o e n d a d a y spent sightseeing, and rest assured that Sabbioneta has a lot to offer in this context, t o o . T h e f o o d h e r e i s a humble yet delicious affair, with pumpkin being a sta- ple ingredient, just like in the whole Mantuan area. In Sabbioneta, this very sea- sonal vegetable finds its way into dishes like ravioli, risot- to, and gnocchi, so don't be surprised if, while you stroll through its quaint streets, you find yourself drawn to the sweet aroma of pump- kin tortelli, a dish once reserved for Christmas Eve but now enjoyed whenever the craving strikes. The sim- plicity of this dish, with its blend of amaretti, chutney, and grana cheese encased in delicate pasta sheets, reflects the essence of Sabbioneta's culinary tradition. But it's not all just about pumpkins. The town's offerings extend to a variety of cured meats and cheeses, too, including homemade salami, ciccioli, c o p p a , p a n c e t t a , a n d culatello — their production strictly connected t Such rich, delicious food should be washed down with a good glass of local Lam- brusco wine which, with its rich dark red hue and full body, is a perfect and tradi- t i o n a l a c c o m p a n i m e n t t o these hearty dishes. And if you have a sweet tooth, don't be afraid, there is plenty to enjoy in Sab- bioneta for you, too, starting with the iconic sbrisolona cake a crunchy and crumbly affair made with yellow and white flour, almonds, butter, and sugar. Then there are filòs cookies, a delightful mix of walnuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts, and chocolate, which embody perfectly the flavors of old, quiet, and fra- grant cooking. And we cer- tainly shouldn't forget the dolce delle rose, the anello di monaco, the elvezia cake, and good old zabaglione, e a c h o f t h e m a d e l i c i o u s journey into the sweet tradi- tions of Sabbioneta. In the heart of the town, eateries like Osteria La Dis- p e n s a , R i s t o r a n t e C o r t e Bondeno, and Trattoria Bar Ducale welcome visitors to savor authentic local flavors in a cozy, inviting setting. Each meal here is a celebra- tion of Sabbioneta's agrarian roots and the region's simple yet profound culinary tradi- tions. Local cuisine, which is distinct from the neighbor- ing Mantuan fare, offers a fresh, intriguing narrative that makes dining in Sab- bioneta a delightful explo- ration of tradition and taste. Left: a view of the dome of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, in Sabbioneta (Photo: Shutterstock) and, right, an original gown from the times of Vespasiano Gonzaga (Photo: Shutterstock) Sabbioneta, a Renaissance "designer town" GIULIA FRANCESCHINI ALL AROUND ITALY TRAVEL TIPS DESTINATIONS ACTIVITIES The exterior of Palazzo Giardino, and the Gallery of the Antiques with its arcades are built in red brick (Photo: Shutterstock)

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