San Benedetto Po lies in the territory of Mantua and derives its name from the Benedictine abbey of Polirone (between the river Po and the stream Lirone, which has run dry), which was founded here by Tedaldo of Canossa in 984. The abbey was granted wide territories by Boniface of Canossa, his wife Beatrice and his daughter Matilda; the land was reclaimed by the Benedictine monks. For this reason it was for centuries centre of active work, culture and civilization. Matilda wanted to be buried here, wearing the veil of the Benedictine nuns; she died in 1115 at Bondeno di Roncore, which lies in the surroundings of the abbatial territory. Matilda's grave, which initially was situated inside the church of the abbey, was later transferred to many different places. In 1500 it was embellished with a painting by Orazio Farinati, depicting the fighting countess on horseback. From 1544 to 1547 the abbatial church was transformed into a building in Renaissant style by Julius Romano. In the first half of the 17th century, when the Counter-Reformation spread the cult of Matilda (which the Church however never formally acknowledged) Urban VIII Barberini had the body of the countess stolen and taken to Rome. He let Bernini erect the beautiful sepulchre where she still lies in St Peter's. At present the abbey consists of the basilica and three cloisters, which were built later; St Benedict's (13th cent), the Secolari's (14th cent) and St Simeon's (15th cent). The old Romanesque church is embodied - on the left of the presbytery - in the Renaissant basilica; it preserves a mosaic dating back to 1151. Inside the abbey there are many interesting objects: Matilda's grave (empty) with the canvas by Farinati, the columns of the old Romanesque church, the wooden carvings in the choir and in the sacristy by Julius Romano, many church ornaments and vestments made of copper and canvasses of the 16th and 18th centuries. It is in the monumental refectory of the late 15th century that a great discovery has recently been made: a whole wall covering an area of 100 square meters painted by Correggio approximately in 1513-14: it depicts a painted architectural work with biblical prefigurations of "the Last Supper" (this is also the subject of a canvas hanging in the middle of the wall). Also the adjacent monumental infirmary of the 16th century needs restoration. Inside the cloisters there is the famous Museo Civico Polironiano, a municipal museum which hosts objects of cultural interest coming from the Po lowland. Preparations have also been made for the foundation of an abbatial museum. Today San Benedetto Po is a typical and thriving centre with a flourishing agricultural activity and many processing industries and manufacturers of agricultural machineries. Access roads are comfortable and modern and accommodation facilities are suitable. The abbey was granted wide territories by Boniface of Canossa, his wife Beatrice and his daughter Matilda; the land was reclaimed by the Benedictine monks. For this reason it was for centuries centre of active work, culture and civilization. Matilda wanted to be buried here, wearing the veil of the Benedictine nuns; she died in 1115 at Bondeno di Roncore, which lies in the surroundings of the abbatial territory. Matilda's grave, which initially was situated inside the church of the abbey, was later transferred to many different places. In 1500 it was embellished with a painting by Orazio Farinati depicting the fighting countess on horseback. From 1544 to 1547 the abbatial church was transformed into a building in Renaissant style by Julius Romano. In the first half of the 17th century, when the Counter-Reformation spread the cult of Matilda (which the Church however never formally aknowledged) Urban VIII Barberini had the body of the countess stolen and taken to Rome. He let Bernini erect the beautiful sepulchre where she still lies in St Peter's. At present the abbey consists of the basilica and three cloisters, which were built later; St Benedict's (13th cent), the Secolari's (14th cent) and St Simeon's (15th cent). The old Romanesque church is embodyed - on the left of the presbitery - in the Renaissant basilica; it preserves a mosaic dating back to 1151. Inside the abbey there are many interesting objects: Matilda's grave (empty) with the canvas by Farinati, the columns of the old Romanesque church, the wooden carvings in the choir and in the sacristy by Julius Romano, many church ornaments and vestments made of copper and canvasses of the 16th and 18th centuries. it is in the monumental refectory of the late 15th century that a great discovery has recently been made: a whole wall covering an area of 100 square meters painted by Correggio approximately in 1513-14: it depicts a painted architectural work with biblical prefigurations of "the Last Supper" (this is also the subject of a canvas hanging in the middle of the wall). Also the adjacent monumental infirmary of the 16th century needs restoration. Inside the cloisters there is the famous Museo Civico Polironiano, a municipal museum which hosts objects of cultural interest coming from the Po lowland. Preparations have also been made for the foundation of an abbatial museum. Today San Benedetto Po is a typical and thriving centre with a flourishing agricultural activity and many processing industries and manufacturers of agricultural mashineries. Access raoads are comfortable and modern and accomodation facilities are suitable.