Overview Tour of Comacchio – (Little Venice).
Comacchio is located on the road from Rimini to Venice. It is a beautiful city in the north-eastern part of the province of Ferrara, which was founded around the 5th century and almost immediately became one of the largest ports in Italy, as well as a place where the fishing industry thrives and where there are colourful villages of hereditary fishermen who honour their traditions.
This unique settlement of the late Roman era is situated on 13 islets in a strategic location from where it was possible to control the Adriatic trade routes in the Padana plain, which in some ways makes it akin to Venice – there are ancient canals and canals with boats running through them. These canals are navigated by boats (batanes), from which you can get a different view of the city – a unique romantic atmosphere, especially since this pleasure will cost you nothing.
This town flourished from the 6th to the 9th centuries, when it was home to one of the strongest fleets in the Adriatic. Salt mining and fishing have always been the main components of the economy of Comacchio. The Venetians tried many times to conquer the area, but from 1299 Comacchio was ruled by the D’Este family. The main attraction of Comacchio is the Treponti building, built in 1634 by Luca Danese. It is located at the confluence of five canals and has five staircases and two turrets. Near the southern staircase is the Ancient Fish Shop (XVII century).
About 20 metres away is the temple of Delta gastronomy “Bottega di Comacchio”, where you must try the local eel for which this place is so famous. After the tasting you can stroll through the elegant town centre.
In the delta of the picturesque Po River, in the area between Lido di Spina and Lido degli Estensi, there is a unique UNESCO protected nature reserve, home to flocks of pink flamingos. In addition to flamingos there are many other species of birds, and the reserve itself is very popular among Italian ornithological enthusiasts.
The city has a museum of the Roman ship, which presents exhibits found in an ancient merchant ship built before our era. Finally, outdoor enthusiasts will love the local cycling routes through the beautiful Po Delta, Comacchio Lagoon and lush pine forests.
Cathedral in Comacchio is a beautiful red-brick cathedral built in 1740 and consecrated in honour of Comacchio’s patron saint, John Cassian the Roman. It can be seen on the west side of the Piazza Maggiore and next to it is the remarkable bell tower, the base of which is made of Istrian marble.
Valli di Comacchio – this area, whose name can be translated as “The Valleys of Comacchio” or “The Fish Gardens of Comacchio”, is famous for its many brackish lagoons. It is located south of Comacchio, close to the Adriatic coast and lies on the border between the communes of Comacchio and Argenta in Ferrara and Ravenna.
