Angela the Goose Sets 34-Year-Old Record at San Martino della Battaglia

The air of the historic hills or the austerity of the place may be factors, but one thing is certain: when an animal is adopted by the family of Luigi and Natalina Stefanoni, guardians of the monuments of San Martino della Battaglia, time seems to stand still for them.

This has already happened with a hen that lived for nearly 12 years. Now the story repeats with Angela, a beautiful goose weighing almost eight kilograms, who is 34 years old. A record.

Her story began 32 years ago. Rino Toniolo, who managed the «Messico» restaurant on the Rivoltella-Desenzano road for many years, purchased some raffle tickets at a local festival. When the winning number was drawn, the surprise: he had won a goose.

The restaurateur took the bird home and placed it in his garden. The goose grew quickly and soon became the family mascot. At that point, it was impossible to turn her into a succulent roast. Angela was saved.

Two years ago, everything changed: the restaurant was closed for renovations, and there was no longer space for the goose. The question was: where to find a suitable home?

Angela’s Arrival in San Martino della Battaglia

Thus, the idea arose to gift her to the Stefanoni family, with whom Rino Toniolo is a very good friend. And so Angela arrived in San Martino della Battaglia, where she found good company in a hen nearly twelve years old.

She is cared for by Luigi’s mother, who turned 91 last August. The duck is also an excellent guardian of this oasis of longevity: whenever someone approaches, she raises the alarm. Everyone is warned.