Between late June and September, the waters of Lake Superiore in Mantua bloom with large pink lotus flowers—featured on postcards and tourist brochures promoting this charming Lombard city. These flowers have become a symbol of Mantua and a seasonal draw for visitors, who can take boat tours through the lush aquatic landscape. This summer, the city also hosted its second annual “Lotus Flower Festival.”

Mantua is located in southern Lombardy, along the Mincio River, which flows from Lake Garda and eventually joins the Po River. While much of the Mincio is controlled by human-made infrastructure like levees and dams, the stretch just before it reaches Mantua is left wild. Here, the river spreads out, creating natural wetlands known as the Valli del Mincio.