Discover what to do in Gaiba: the San Giuseppe fair, a bike ride in Gaiba, the oratory of San Carlo Borromeo. Want to know more? First of all…
Where is Gaiba?
The municipality of Gaiba borders to the north with Bagnolo di Po, to the south with Ferrara, to the east with Stienta, to the west with Ficarolo.
The San Giuseppe fair
According to the liturgical calendar, the celebration of San Giuseppe falls on March 19. The 2024 edition of the San Giuseppe fair took place from Saturday 15 to Wednesday 19 March.
If you are wondering what to do in Gaiba, the San Giuseppe fair is a great opportunity to spend the spring season with exciting concerts, dance evenings, amusement parks and itinerant stalls full of tempting specialties to enjoy in the setting of the Rovigo plain crossed by the majestic course of the Po.
For more information about the San Giuseppe fair, you can check the Facebook page Comune di Gaiba.
Bike ride in Gaiba
The starting point of the itinerary is Piazza S. Giuseppe. Leave behind the entrance of the church of San Giuseppe, cross the square and continue westwards alongside the Teatro – Sala Civica, then keep left on Via Sabbioni.
After about 450 meters keep left and proceed south for another 350 meters, to the intersection. Turn right and follow Via Giovecca for 1 km, entering the serene rural landscape of the Rovigo area dotted with charming farmhouses surrounded by wheat fields.
Turn left and follow Via Palantone in the shade of a lush poplar grove. Upon reaching the top of the embankment, turn left. Unless there are signs prohibiting it, proceed for 7 km along the winding asphalt road that follows the longest river in Italy, from whose surface emerge white islets shaped by the current and covered with flourishing wild vegetation.
Among the most interesting naturalistic areas is the Bonello area, an ancient river island formed after the diversion of the Po in the 12th century, which a 19th-century reclamation project connected to the mainland by building an embankment. Inside the fertile floodplain area, surrounded by wheat and corn fields, stands a solitary charming oratory dating back to the first half of the 17th century, an ideal destination for history and nature lovers wondering what to do in Gaiba.
The oratory of San Carlo Borromeo (44.94321745772159, 11.508541348968611)
Completed by a double-pitched facade, the place of worship dedicated to San Carlo Borromeo is marked by blind arches on the facade and along the side walls. Crowned by a metal cross, the triangular pediment has a circular decoration in the center. Above the wooden portal opens a round-arched single lancet window. Also noteworthy is the square-based bell tower, incorporated into the structure.
At this point (44.93461916601594, 11.547905518100341) descend the embankment and follow Via Argine Sabato to the intersection with Via Eridania. Keep left and cross the pedestrian crossing, then turn right and take Via Argine Sabato.
After 450 meters turn left and follow Via Cavo Bentivoglio for 2 km following the course of a winding canal with grassy banks. At the intersection keep right and proceed along Via Maffei for 350 meters, then turn left and follow Via Argine Valle for 3.8 km.
The route runs southwest through the sunny Gaiba countryside, crossed by a serpentine watercourse and dotted with elegant farmhouses and centuries-old rural buildings surrounded by golden wheat fields. At the intersection with Via Tommaselle turn left and proceed for 1.2 km until you reach the regional road.
Keep right and follow the regional road for 500 meters until you find on your right the lush tree-lined garden of Villa Fiaschi and Villa Stampanoni bordered by a brick wall, then turn left onto Via Roma to return to Piazza San Giuseppe.
