Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Parking Lot Shoeprints
Dewey Square Pylon & Bent 38
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Manhattan Well
The Manhattan Well: How Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton United to Solve a Murder Mystery
about 18 hours ago
Beneath downtown Minneapolis, Schieks Cave has surprisingly warm groundwater, evidence of a subterranean heat island.
Schieks Cave Below Minneapolis Contains a Lake of Warm Sewage
2 days ago
Athenaeus described various kinds of Greek drinking vessels, like the deep, rounded skyphos and wide, flat kylix.
The Ancient Greek Guide to Succeeding at Dinner Parties
3 days ago
No thanks.
AO Mailbag: Which Places Just Aren’t Worth Visiting?
4 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Italy Governolo Conca del Bertazzolo
AO Edited

Conca del Bertazzolo

Nearly 800 years old, this river lock is now a public park with a former fortified island.

Governolo, Italy

Added By
Lakehurst
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
The lock from Mincio side   Lakehurst / Atlas Obscura User
The lock from Mincio side   Lakehurst / Atlas Obscura User
The lock from Po’s side   Lakehurst / Atlas Obscura User
The lock from Mincio’s side   Lakehurst / Atlas Obscura User
Former river’s bed   Lakehurst / Atlas Obscura User
  Lakehurst / Atlas Obscura User
  Lakehurst / Atlas Obscura User
The bridge to cross the former river’s bed to reach the castle   Lakehurst / Atlas Obscura User
River’s bed from the bridge   Lakehurst / Atlas Obscura User
  Lakehurst / Atlas Obscura User
The castle’s ruin   Lakehurst / Atlas Obscura User
The lock and the castle in 1420   Public Domain
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

In 1188, engineer Alberto Pitentino was commissioned to come up with a solution to the seasonal overflow of the lakes surrounding Manuta and make them stable. Water from the Minico and Po rivers created a system of lakes and swamps that was perfect for defensive purposes, but ran the risk of flooding the city. Today, his solution is still visible, though its form has changed in the intervening centuries.

Pitentino designed a complex system of dams and canals to be built all around the city. The hydrogeologic work arrived until the confluence of the Mincio in the Po river (a distance of 20 kilometers close to Governolo village). In that place, Pitentino built the first lock between the two rivers to maintain the water level in the lakes.

In 1608, engineer Gabriele Bertazzolo began construction work on a new plant, at the behest of the Duke of Mantua. The new works would better maintain the level of the lakes, and, in the event that the Po flooded, prevent its waters from flowing up the Mincio. Bertazzolo's improvements were completed in 1618.

The 17th-century lock was in use until 1983, when the branch of Mincio's river was buried. Nowadays the lock is at the end of a public park that lied on the old river bed and connects Governolo to the former island between two Mincio's branches. The former island still hosts part of the Governolo's castle, which was built in 1370.

Related Tags

Engineering Rivers Water

Know Before You Go

Also known as Conca San Leone

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Italy: Roman Carbonara, Florentine Steak & Venetian Cocktails

Savor local cuisine across Rome, Florence & Venice.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

Lakehurst

Published

July 19, 2021

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://www.museodiffusodelfiume.it/
  • https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberto_Pitentino
  • https://mantovafortezza.it/sistema-difensivo/castello-e-sostegno-di-governolo/
  • http://www.culturadelriso.it/it/scheda/280
  • https://www.governolo.it/Mincio/conca_del_bertazzolo.htm#_ftn1
Conca del Bertazzolo
302 Strada Ostigliese
Governolo, 46037
Italy
45.077317, 10.977793
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Revere's Ship Mill (Mulino natante di Revere)

Revere, Italy

miles away

Castello di Castel d'Ario

Castel D'ario, Italy

miles away

Isola Boschina

Ostiglia, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Italy

Italy

Europe

Places 1,064
Stories 111

Nearby Places

Revere's Ship Mill (Mulino natante di Revere)

Revere, Italy

miles away

Castello di Castel d'Ario

Castel D'ario, Italy

miles away

Isola Boschina

Ostiglia, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Italy

Italy

Europe

Places 1,064
Stories 111

Related Places

  • Bonneville Dam

    North Bonneville, Washington

    Bonneville Lock & Dam

    Boats and fish both find their way through this massive hydroelectric structure.

  • The Anderton Boat Lift

    Anderton, England

    Anderton Boat Lift

    The world’s oldest boat lift is also known in the United Kingdom as the "Cathedral of the Canals" and one of the "Seven Wonders of the Waterways."

  • Koshi Barrage

    Bhardaha, Nepal

    Koshi Barrage

    This structure, built more than 60 years ago to manage devastating seasonal floods, is known to attract a rare species of freshwater dolphin.

  • The river alongside Larkin Plaza

    Yonkers, New York

    Saw Mill River Daylighting

    A waterway covered over after the Industrial Revolution has been unearthed and cleaned up, for the enjoyment of fish and humans alike.

  • The iconically red dam, with the peculiar inland lighthouse uphill.

    Guanajuato, Mexico

    Presa de San Renovato

    This highly decorated dam is one of Guanajuato's most unexpectedly beautiful public works.

  • Ust-Kamenogorsk Lock.

    Ust'-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan

    Ust-Kamenogorsk Lock

    Tucked away along a riverbend in an area known for its uranium mines is one of the world's tallest locks.

  • Pont de Montiberri

    Lleida, Spain

    Pont de Montiberri

    A river hides a charming medieval bridge.

  • Geneva, Switzerland

    Pointe de la Jonction

    Where two rivers meet—but don’t mix.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.