Holiday apartment in Motta Baluffi: Nature, the Po and Culture

Motta Baluffi combines the landscape of the Po with diverse traces of history, nature and regional tradition.

Holiday apartment in Motta Baluffi between the Po embankment and the historic route

Motta Baluffi and its hamlet of Solarolo Monasterolo are located on the main embankment, which follows the course of the Po. This connection with the river shapes the way the area is perceived and makes the embankment an important part of its landscape.

The ancient Strada degli Argini also passes through Motta Baluffi. It runs along the Po between Cremona and Casalmaggiore. Solarolo Monasterolo also has a special historical connection: the hamlet is associated with a former Humiliati monastic settlement.

Lanca di Gerole nature reserve and the PO02 circular cycling route

The “Lanca di Gerole” Nature Reserve lies in a river floodplain of great natural and scenic importance. Its defining features are two large, concentrically arranged oxbow lakes at different stages of development, as well as a nearly completely silted-up palaeochannel. This was partially reactivated by earlier extraction activities. As a river floodplain, the natural area encompasses several types of water bodies and is also the habitat of the endemic toad Pelobates fuscus insubricus. The distinctive structure of its waters gives the natural area a clearly recognizable character.

The “Lanca di Gerole” Nature Reserve is also one of the last refuges of the toad Pelobates fuscus insubricus, which is endemic to the Po Valley.

The PO02 circular cycling route – La Golena del Po runs along the riverside embankment beside the “Lanca di Gerole” Nature Reserve. The route connects the cycling path with the natural area, while the ancient Strada degli Argini adds the historical link to the route.

San Cataldo, festivals and distinctive details

San Cataldo features in several aspects of Motta Baluffi’s history. In the 12th century, there was an important hospital here called San Cataldo della Motta, where the sick, people suffering from pellagra and the poor were admitted and treated. The parish of San Cataldo has been documented since the 14th century. The parish church of San Cataldo is richly decorated inside and dates from the 17th and 18th centuries.

The festival calendar also bears the name San Cataldo: the patron saint’s festival of Motta Baluffi is dedicated to San Cataldo and is celebrated every year on 10 May. 10 May gives the patron saint’s festival a fixed place in the annual calendar. In addition, the Feèra d’la Mota is an annual festival in Motta Baluffi featuring tradition, culture and entertainment.

You will find a striking architectural detail at Cascina Maggi-Stanga in Solarolo Monasterolo. The monumental entrance portal is topped by a large copper raven.

Water-related features and Lanca Ronchetto

Lanca Ronchetto is a private fishing and mooring centre in Motta Baluffi and has a landing stage.

More places for planning your trip

Ca' De' Mari, Stagno Lombardo, San Latino, Agnadello, Cansero, Soresina, Montodine and Moscazzano

For the overarching travel overview: Cremona.