Goito facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Goito
Comune
Comune di Goito
Fight between Austrians and Piedmontese over the Mincio bridge in Goito on 8 April 1848. In the time Of Virgil, Goito was called Andes.
Coat of arms
Country	Italy
Region	Lombardy
Province	Mantua (MN)
Frazioni	Cerlongo, Solarolo, Marsiletti, Torre, Sacca, Calliero, Vasto, Massimbona, Belvedere, Ca'Vecchia Gobbi, Maglia, Sagrada 1, Borgo Diciotto, Ca' Vagliani, Cascina Palazzetto, Catapane, Aquilone, Terra Nera, Isola, Tezze Vasto, Ronziolo, Barattere, Villabona, Baronina, Loghino, Corte Bellacqua di Sotto, Corte Grandi, Corte Quaresima Vecchia, Sagrada II, Valle Buratto, Cascina Bondi, Corte Bellacqua di Sopra, San Lorenzo, Corte Merlesco, Corte Resenasco
Area
• Total	79.22 km2 (30.59 sq mi)
Elevation	33 m (108 ft)
Population  (31 August 2017)
• Total	10,289
• Density	129.879/km2 (336.38/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Goitesi
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	46044
Dialing code	0376
Patron saint	St. Peter and Paul
Saint day	June 29

Goito is a town with about 10,000 people in the Province of Mantua in Lombardy, Italy. It's located about 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Mantua. Goito is on the Mincio River and was once an important crossing point. It's also known as the birthplace of Sordello, a famous poet from the past.

What's in a Name? The Meaning of Goito

The name Goito often points to areas where the Ostrogoths, an ancient Germanic people, once settled. Some old documents even show that people in Goito in the year 1045 said they lived "according to Gothic law." This suggests a strong connection to the Goths.

However, some historians think the name comes from a Latin word, guttus, which means a water vase. This might mean the town was named because it was near a river.

Goito Through Time: A Brief History

Ancient Times: Roman Roads and Early Settlers

Long ago, before the Romans, Goito was a key spot on the Mincio River. It was located between important towns of the Cenomani (like Brescia and Verona) and the Etruscan town of Mantua.

The Romans built a major road called the Via Postumia around 200 BCE. This road connected important cities like Cremona and Verona. Goito was a crucial crossing point on this road over the Mincio River. You can still see parts of this old Roman road today, known as la Levada (the raised road). Many Roman items, including burials, have been found in the area, showing that people lived here a very long time ago.

Early Middle Ages: Barbarian Settlements

After the Roman Empire fell, Goito became home to different groups, including the Ostrogoths and Lombards. Archaeologists have found old burial grounds in the area, with many graves from this time. These discoveries help us learn about the people who lived in Goito centuries ago.

High Middle Ages: Castles and Poets

In the 11th century, documents show that people in Goito lived under different laws, including Latin, Lombard, and Gothic laws. This shows a mix of cultures.

Goito also had an important castle. In 1123, a chapel in the Goito castle was mentioned, showing it was already a fortified place. Later, important leaders like Frederick II and Conrad IV of Germany visited the castle for important meetings.

The famous poet Sordello was born in Goito in the late 1100s. He was a troubadour, a type of poet and musician. Even though he traveled a lot, his birthplace was Goito.

The Bonacolsi family, who ruled Mantua, bought a house in Goito to collect tolls at the bridge. Later, the Gonzaga family took over Mantua and Goito, making it an important fortress.

The Renaissance: Art and Prosperity

During the 1400s, Goito was involved in wars between the Visconti family and the Gonzaga family. In 1453, the Gonzaga family won an important battle near Goito.

After this victory, Ludovico III Gonzaga, the ruler of Mantua, built a beautiful home in Goito. The famous painter Andrea Mantegna even worked there! Ludovico also improved the town's defenses and built a canal. Goito became a busy market town, growing wealthy during this time.

Wars and Changes: The 17th and 18th Centuries

Goito saw many battles during the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1629, during the War of the Mantuan Succession, Goito was captured by imperial forces. This was a big deal because it cut off supplies to Mantua.

Later, during the War of the Spanish Succession in the early 1700s, Goito was attacked many times. It was a key location because of its bridge. Eventually, the Austrian forces took control of Lombardy, including Goito.

In 1745, Goito became part of Lombardy under Austrian rule. This was meant to make governing easier. However, the people of Goito didn't always benefit from the changes and faced challenges.

Napoleonic Wars: French and Austrian Clashes

In 1796, during the Napoleonic Wars, French troops took Goito. But it was later recaptured by the Austrians. There were more battles over the Goito bridge, with both sides fighting for control. After French victories, Goito became part of the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy.

In 1814, a large battle, the Battle of the Mincio River, took place around Goito, with French and Austrian armies fighting for the area.

Unification of Italy: A New Nation

After the Napoleonic Wars, Goito returned to Austrian rule. But people in Italy wanted to unite the country. This movement was called the Risorgimento.

In 1848, the Piedmontese army won the Battle of Goito Bridge, a key battle in the First Italian War of Independence. This was the first time the new Italian light infantry, the Bersaglieri, fought. The Piedmontese won another battle, the Battle of Goito, on May 30, 1848.

Even after these victories, Goito returned to Austrian rule for a while. Many people in Goito secretly worked against Austrian rule to achieve Italian unity.

Goito as a Border Town (1861–1866)

In 1859, Goito became part of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which later became the Kingdom of Italy in 1861. For a short time, Goito was an international border crossing! The Mincio River became the border between Italy and Austrian-held Mantua. This meant the town was divided, and crossing the river could be complicated for residents. This border situation ended when Italy gained control of Venetia after the Third Italian War of Independence.

Liberal Italy: Workers' Rights and Cooperatives

In the late 1800s, farmers and workers in Goito fought for better wages and conditions. There were big strikes, known as "Le Boje," where workers tried to get fair treatment from landowners. To help themselves, workers formed cooperative groups like "La Cooperativa" in Goito in 1873.

Fascism: A Local Leader's Influence

In the early 1900s, there was a lot of social change. A local leader named Giuseppe "Pino" Moschini became important in the new National Fascist Party. He worked to control labor movements and became a powerful figure in the area. He even helped build a monument to the Bersaglieri in Goito.

World War II and Resistance: A Time of Conflict

During World War II, Goito was important for transporting supplies. The skies over Goito saw air battles as Allied planes tried to stop German supply lines. In April 1945, a German plane crashed in Goito after an air fight. Days later, Allied planes bombed a German fuel depot near Goito.

The town also had local resistance fighters who worked against the German occupation. Goito was finally liberated by the Allies on April 26, 1945.

First Republic: New Life and Politics

After the war, Goito saw many improvements. People's lives got better with new goods and services. A cinema even opened in 1948!

The town also became a strong supporter of the Italian Communist Party. In 1949, Gina Magnoni was elected mayor of Goito, becoming the first woman mayor in Mantua province! The town's team also won the national championship in tamburello, a racket sport, in 1959.

Second Republic: Modern Goito

In the 1990s, Italian politics changed a lot. Goito continued to elect new mayors, with different political parties taking the lead.

Since the early 2000s, many immigrants have moved to Goito, especially from the North Indian state of Punjab. Most of these immigrants are Sikhs and work in the local dairy industry. They have become an important part of the community. In 2015, a Sikh resident was fined for carrying a kirpan (a ceremonial dagger), which led to discussions about religious freedom.

Cool Places to See in Goito

Churches

• Church of Saint Peter the Apostle
• Church of Massimbona
• Church of St. Mary Virgin and Martyr at Solarolo

Castles

• Castle of Goito
• Castle of Cerlongo

Civic Landmarks

• Civic Tower
• Bridge of Goito (Ponte della Gloria)
• Villa Giraffa
• Villa Moschini
• Corte Villabona
• Bersaglieri monument
• Municipal Theater

Goito's Twin Town

Goito is twinned with Baienfurt, Germany. They have been friendly partners since 2005.