Holiday apartment in Cavriana: village history and landscape

The historic center of Cavriana has preserved the original structure of a fortified village. Through a gate, you reach a small square with two 16th-century palaces.

Archaeological heritage and moraine landscape

The Museo Archeologico dell'Alto Mantovano is located in Villa Mirra and displays finds from the pile-dwelling sites of Bande di Cavriana and Castellaro Lagusello. The Bande di Cavriana pile-dwelling site has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 2011. It lies in a glacially formed lake basin within the moraine amphitheater of Lake Garda. The SCI area “Moraine Complex of Castellaro Lagusello” covers approximately 271 hectares in the municipalities of Mozambano and Cavriana.

Castle history, churches and art

The ring walls, an original entrance gate and a watchtower, which was converted into a bell tower in the 17th century, remain from Cavriana Castle. Villa Mirra was extensively renovated around 1770 and rebuilt using materials from the demolished old castle and its fortification walls. The first historical document mentioning the parish church of Cavriana dates from March 31, 1037. Santa Maria della Pieve (Santuario della Madonna della Pieve) is a well-preserved Romanesque building on a gentle slope in Cavriana. The sacristy of Santa Maria Nova houses a 1512 triptych of the Madonna with Saints Sebastian and Roch, attributed to Zenone Veronese.

Quiet paths and different stages

The quiet streets of Cavriana invite you to enjoy easy walks and bicycle rides. The first stage of the Via Carolingia leads from Castiglione delle Stiviere to Cavriana. The ninth stage of the Cammino di Fede e Solidarietà leads from Cavriana via Castellaro Lagusello to Monzambano.

Traditions and events in Cavriana

The Palio della Capra d'Oro takes place in Cavriana on the second Sunday in July. Its program begins in the historic center with a parade of the Contrade. At the Cavrodromo, it includes a flag-waving performance, the traditional goat race and the presentation of the award to the winning Contrada. On February 3, an old rite for the blessing of the throat also takes place in Cavriana: in the church, the priest holds two crossed candles under the chin. The program of the Antica Fiera di San Biagio 2026 included stalls with local products and offerings from craft businesses in the lower garden of Villa Mirra.

Fontana del Torcolo

The Fontana del Torcolo is an old washhouse supplied by a natural spring that flows year-round. During the Renaissance, it was an important geographical and defensive landmark connected to Cavriana's upper fortress.

At the archaeological museum

Near Cavriana's archaeological museum, there are accessible parking spaces and sidewalks with lowered curbs.

Discover more places

More places: Poggio Rusco, Casaloldo, Ponti Sul Mincio, Roncoferraro, Moglia, Davini, Marcaria and Bagnolo San Vito.

More about Mantua.