The territory

The Po Delta

The richness and variety of the delta territory are mainly due to the natural scenery and the value of its historical and naturalistic areas, its warm-humid-mild climate, its traditions, its people, and the general atmosphere, all of which are difficult to forget.

The delta is like a triangle which is traceable on a map, north-east of the peninsular, if you take the three cities of art as the extreme points: Ravenna to the south, Venice to the north and Ferrara to the west.

Within this triangle there are beautiful landscapes which make this territory unique: natural oases, valleys, lagoons, regales, museums, palaces, archaeological sites, pine woods, dunes, beaches, religious buildings. In this way, it is possible to trace numerous itineraries, and by following them you will come across inhabited settlements and urban areas, each with its own history, origins and characteristics waiting to be discovered. The centuries old Comacchio valley, Goro Port, Mesola Castle and its wood, just to quote a few of the attractions.

Discovering the secrets and mysteries of the Delta is simple. All you have to do is choose your means of transport: by car, on horseback, on a boat or by bicycle. You can then leave to visit these evocative places.

“Everywhere in the Po Delta and estuaries you see the same typical valuable sights (Naturalistic and environmental); although you will see that they are a cut above the normal environment versus human relationship. A great city of art – Ferrara is not far from its river and its outlet to the sea: the echo of its culture and its civilisation has left something in the Po Delta which does not exist elsewhere: an ephemeral yet lasting mark. The same can be said for the efforts made by its people to overcome the negative aspects of places which are so difficult to live in. Its people conserve memories which have their roots in time, with a wealth of wisdom; it is immersed in the particular culture, which is both material and spiritual, and is the result of centuries of experience accumulated by people in a difficult world where water and earth make up – so to say – a unique inheritance. It is this inheritance which makes me adore “my” delta; it makes me come back and visit it frequently, fascinated as I am by its beauty and its regality; every time I am astonished to discover something new, a new characteristic in the character of its people, their tenacity, their tradition.” (Folco Quilici)

Lagosanto

The first document in which Lagosanto is cited is the Imperial diploma of Otto I in 962, in which it is called the Flumen Sanctum, probably to identify it with Lutèrculo, which dates back to the V-VI century a.d., and which flowed from Marozzo through to Comacchio, passing by Laghese. Its former course was followed by the navigable Marino canal, which was then closed to citizens during the 70s.

Why Flumen Sanctum? Probably because certain pagan beliefs, which still existed even after Christianity began, believed that every river was governed by a divine protector. In subsequent documents, after the year 1000, the name of the town becomes Lacus Sanctus.

As far as the term ‘Lake’ is concerned, we have to think of it as a restricted strip of water surrounded by land immersed in high vegetation. There are two theories for the word ‘Santo’ (Saint). The first is based on the fact that under Roman law all lakes could be considered as being “res sancta”, since they were a public patrimony and had to be respected. If this is the case then Lagosanto already existed from the IV century ad to the age of Theodosius’s rule.

The most accredited theory is that Lagosanto means the place, or the lagoon of a saint, being Saint Appiano, a monk who died in the VIII-IX century bc. with people believing that he would be declared a saint.

In the course of its history Lagosanto was particularly important in virtue of its land and valleys, which were licensed by the Pomposa Monastery (which it belonged to, even if this wouldn’t be true in geographical terms) to be worked on and improved. The Trebba valley, Ponti and its island were later arbitrarily sold by Bonaparte to Comachio. Numerous disputes followed, including legal ones, to the satisfaction of the town’s community. In the middle of the XIII century ad the first Laghese municipality was established, which became completely autonomous from Pomposa when it was absorbed by the Estensi in the XV century ad

The history and economy of Lagosanto in the following centuries remained tied to the valleys and their management, until reclamation activities and water installation construction started after the unification of Italy. These activities provide other employment opportunities. The first labourers started at this time, of which the Marozzo people were the first.

There are numerous extremely interesting churches from an artistic and architectural point of view, as well as farmyards, ranches and water installation plants.

The San Venanzio Fair, the strawberry Festival, the carnival with floats and masks are just some of the events which curious visitors can get involved in.

Ferrara

Declared as a heritage site by UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation), it was the first example of modern urban planning in Europe (The Duke of Ercole's city extension). It is a University city, with a high level of historical and architectural appeal, as well as an evocative atmosphere.

The Estense castle, the Palace of Diamonds, Ariosto’s house, the city walls and the cathedral are some of the places which bear testimony to its architectural wealth.

A cultural and artistic crossroads of international importance, it hosts prestigious exhibitions, an important theatrical and concert season and the Buskers’ Festival, thereby mixing classical and modern themes.

It has been declared the “city of the bicycle” and it welcomes tourists with its evocatively slow and refined lifestyle, magic routes and a precious cuisine which is very characteristic.

Comacchio

A lagoon city called “little Venice”. It is without doubt one of the most evocative places in Italy. Its people, its traditions, its history, even the food, all conspire to form a cultural and human inheritance which is extremely marked from an emotive point of view.

The Trepponti is its most important monument, from which the network of canals starts, a network which is still navigable in a “bantana”, the classic local type of boat.

It is interesting to visit the Marinati manufactory, the Roman naval museum, and the ex-hospital which is now a museum.

It hosts the famous “Fashion and love parade”, an international birdwatching Fair, the Festival of the eel and the preview of the Buskers’ festival.

TThe Seven Beaches of Comacchio

From north to south there are the beaches of Volano, Nazioni, Pomposa, Scacchi, Porto Garibaldi, Estensi and Spina.

Seven beaches, seven ways of enjoying your holiday; from a family to a mundane style. Tranquil beaches with fine sand, land between the sea, the valleys and pine forests, and last but not least, safe and clean sea.