Isola degli Internati
Nature, history, Second World War wrecks, and the places along the River Po connected to Antonio Ligabue.
Timetable
Open all year round
Along the cycle path traversing the Gualtieri floodplain, which links Gualtieri, Boretto, and Guastalla, visitors encounter some of the most evocative corners of the River Po landscape.
Among these, the Isola degli Internati ("Island of the Internees") is a place where nature and memory are uniquely intertwined.
Today a serene strip of land enveloped by the waters of the Po and the lush vegetation of the floodplain, it bears the traces of a history shaped by hard work, wartime hardship, and rebirth.
The name Isola degli Internati honours the experience of former Second World War prisoners of war.
In the immediate post-war period, the land was granted to an agricultural cooperative formed by returning veterans and former internees, who earned a livelihood through forestry and timber harvesting. Managing the island thus provided a vital opportunity for a fresh start following the tragic years of the conflict.
To the west lay the Porto Vecchio (Old Port), the historic landing stage for the reaction ferry (cable ferry) that crossed the Po and allowed workers to reach Pomponesco.
Although the port is now silted up, the site retains traces of what was once a bustling hub of river traffic and maritime activity.
During periods of low water on the River Po, the wrecks of three Second World War vessels re-emerge from the depths.
Used historically to transport agricultural produce, coal, and infrastructure building materials, these boats were targeted and sunk during the war.
Their reappearance during drought conditions offers a striking and poignant glimpse into a past that remains etched within the landscape.
The Isola degli Internati is also closely connected to the painter and sculptor Antonio Ligabue, who frequented these grounds over many years.
Amidst the poplar groves, river mists, and secluded clearings of the floodplain, Ligabue often sought refuge, particularly during the most challenging periods of his life.
The powerful, ever-changing landscape of the River Po thus became an integral element of the artist's personal and creative universe.
Contacts
42044 Gualtieri (RE)
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