Luzzara
The route starts in the floodplain area, where the "Porto delle Garzaie" serves as a dock for boats. The dock is located in a wide green area surrounded by the typical river landscape. Another point of interest is represented by “Via Alzaia”, a road along the embankment where you may take long walks and bike rides. Originally, in 1926, it was built to channel the river in order to make it navigable.
The term “alzaia” refers to the rope which makes it possible to move boats along the river against the current, from the shore. This road also connects Luzzara with Guastalla and Riva di Suzzara (MN).
You may also be interested in “Cava Luccio”, an artificial pond derived from a former quarry used for the extraction of clay – around which pedestrian and educational paths for schools have been created.
In the Po natural area, the River Park is a wonderful park located on secular trees, with several acrobatic routes for all ages. You may also decide to make a stop at the nearby kiosk, “la Baia”.
Moving towards the town centre, you can admire “Piazza Ferrari”, the Civic Tower, “Piazza Iscaro”, Luzzara Social Theatre “Danilo Donati” in “Piazza Tedeschi”, the Church of San Giorgio, the National Museum of Arts Naive “Cesare Zavattini” (former “Buris Lodigiani”) and the Cultural Centre “Zavattini”.
Finally, the tour includes a stop at the Museum of the “Treccia” - recently built within the ancient Chiavica of Villarotta, which dates back to 1484. It preserves an original fireplace from the 15th century and tools such as a lathe and wood trimming machines, which made it possible to obtain “paioli” from poplar logs, then braided together by the women of the local community. Eventually, from the braids, they obtained traditional straw hats. This explains why Villarotta became known as the “Villa dei Cappelli” (“Villa of the hats”) during the 18th century.