Set within a timeless atmosphere and surrounded by stunning natural beauty, this waterside village is a gem waiting to be discovered.

Italy is a remarkable country that never ceases to amaze and enchant.

It does so with its natural wonders stretching across the entire peninsula, its immense historical and cultural heritage, and its artistic and architectural monuments that have become symbols of its cities and the nation itself.

It also captivates with its villages, those small caskets of immense beauty that hold stories, traditions, and customs passed down through generations.

Today, we venture to uncover a small village that appears to travellers and locals like an open-eyed dream.

Nestled on a small Mantuan hill, dominated by a castle that resembles a guardian tasked with protecting all the treasures of the land, lies an Italian village overlooking a heart-shaped lake that is simply enchanting.

Welcome to Castellaro Lagusello, the romantic Italian village.

We are in the province of Mantua, just 30 kilometres from the city, immersed in the splendid landscapes of the morainic hills.

Here, a fraction of Monzambano has captured the attention of many travellers. This is the village of Castellaro Lagusello, a place that holds an ancient history hidden among the natural wonders of the surrounding area.

To discover its history, we must go back in time to the 11th century when the hill that now hosts it was chosen as a safe refuge from external attacks. The village’s name itself reflects its origins. Castellaro means fortified enclosure, while Lagusello refers to the lake.

Indeed, the village, gently perched on a soft hill, overlooks a small lake that creates an enchanted landscape.

This body of water, nestled in nature, has a distinctive heart shape that makes the view extremely romantic. Strolling along the lake’s shores and through the village streets is a truly unique experience.

The village on the heart-shaped lake

Far from the well-trodden paths of mass tourism, Castellaro Lagusello offers a truly unique experience immersed in great beauty.

This village, listed among the most beautiful in Italy, is a magical place characterized by a suspended, timeless atmosphere in which one can immerse and lose oneself.

It’s not just the lake, now a nature reserve protected by the Mincio Regional Park, that enchants, but also the ancient past that lives and survives in every corner of the village.

The crenellated walls and ancient houses, the clock tower and the Baroque church of San Nicola, and then the narrow streets and alleyways that intertwine and lead to marvellous views overlooking the enchanted heart-shaped lake: the village is astonishing.

So is the natural setting surrounding it. Pause near the castle, or reach the lake’s shores to take in the panorama: the view from here is breathtaking.