Po Delta Park One of the Most Evocative Oases in Italy, as Well as the Second Largest Wetland in Europe

Woods and green pine forests , a rich flora and fauna population, fresh and brackish water valleys and rivers that flow into the Adriatic: these are some of the tiles that make up the extraordinary mosaic of the Po Delta , a magnificent example of biodiversity, in where water has been the absolute protagonist for centuries . Here, where the earth and the sky merge, there are seductive naturalistic treasures like few others exist in the world, so unique that they were designated in 1999 a World Heritage Site in 1999 . Two parks protect this wonderful naturalistic area which extends over an area of ​​over 66,000 hectares, covering two regions . A labyrinth of landscape possibilities that includes the Veneto Regional Park on one side, north of the great river Po; on the other, towards the south, the Regional Park of Emilia Romagna. Anyone is surprised by the great variety of environments and cultural attractions that this area can offer. The relics of the primitive Mediterranean scrub, the hygrophilous wood, the coastal lagoons, the brackish valleys and the wetlands of fresh water that mix with the ancient remains of settlements can be found side by side, without interruption. Etruscans and Romans, Byzantine mosaics and the suggestions of Benedictine and Este architecture. The Po Delta in the Ferrara area Woods reminiscent of dark woods where deer roam majestic ( Bosco della Mesola ), flamingos and cormorants surrounded by reeds that walk in the fog between low brackish lagoons, small fishing villages linked to the collection of clams or eels ( Goro and Comacchio ). From the river Po to the valleys of Comacchio this is the landscape that presents itself to those who visit the Ferrara part of the Delta. The possible itineraries are infinite and the amazement that accompanies them is indescribable. The same one you feel when you come across the monumental Pomposa abbey or one of the many Este Delights (such as that of Belriguardo in Voghiera , Del Verginese in Portomaggiore and that of the Mesola castle ), traces of a past splendor hovering between nature, harmony and beauty. The Po Delta in the Ravenna area The Ravenna part of the Park reaches to the south of the Comacchio Valleys, and from here opens up, with pine forests and planks , to fascinating natural areas and sites of cultural interest such as the basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe , a Unesco monument since 1996 . There are silent valleys stretching out towards the sea where specimens of vegetation grow and rare fauna species reside, the Oasis of Boscoforte and Punte Alberete , the centuries-old pine forests of San Vitale and Classe sung by Dante and Boccaccio and, finally, further down we arrive at the ancient saline di Cervia , a favorite place for flocks of pink flamingos .

The environment and the landscapes

Despite the heavy intervention of man over the centuries, starting from the sea and entering the hinterland, there are many different habitats . There are the plants of the dunes and the sands , the ancient wooded areas (such as the Mesola Wood), the coastal pine forests and the submerged woods , but also ash trees, willows, poplars and aquatic species such as the white water lily or the common reed marsh . However, it is above all from the faunal point of view that this area surprises. Well over 300 species of birds have chosen this territory as their resting and breeding area. A unique ecosystem where cormorants, coral gulls and terns return to nest every year. Alongside the birds, on the golden beaches, among the reeds, the lagoons and the valleys, you can spot fallow deer, deer , small mammals, as well as amphibians, sturgeons and eels.

What to do

On foot, by boat, by bicycle or on horseback : according to the different seasons there are many ways to experience this particular natural ecosystem in a slow mode, nestled between the beauty of three cities of art such as Ravenna , Ferrara and Venice. The numerous bird species have transformed the area into an area with a strong appeal for all birdwatchers with specific itineraries , equipped areas and observation sites, as well as an international festival (Birdwatching Fair). Visiting the Delta Park means having the opportunity to confront and establish, far from the chaos of inhabited centers, a direct contact with the culture, local traditions and gastronomic specialties of a land that has always been on the "margins". Events such as the Slow Spring - which are repeated every year from March to June - help lovers of the outdoors to deal with the Delta area in the name of slow and sustainable tourism. The best advice is to refer to the visitor centers scattered throughout the area ( Alfonsine , Argenta , Cervia , Comacchio , Massenzatica, Mesola , Ostellato , Sant'Alberto and Savio) to obtain all the useful information to fully enjoy a dream holiday.