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Valli di Comacchio
     
image   The Valli di Comacchio lagoons, central "station" of Parco del Delta del Po dell’Emilia – Romagna, were subject to reclamation works ever since the end of the 19th century, up to the latest works carried out around 1960. They are still formed by water expanses covering more than 13,000 hectares. The lagoons are crossed by banks and spotted with hills, and they present the typical halophilic vegetation of brackish environments, dominated by Salicornia Veneta and Common Sea-Lavender. Water is the basic element for several important traditional activities, such as the breeding and fishing of many fish species, especially eels. The Salt pans of Comacchio, in the north-east part of the Valli, were created on the mouth of the old Po di Eridano, which used to flow north of the present salt basins; they represent a biotope of great natural value.
The Valli are the kingdom of Gulls and Terns, with 9 nesting species and many other rare species which have chosen the lagoons as their ideal reproduction habitat (Spoonbill, Flamingo, Avocet, Black-winged stilt, Collared Pratincole); other birds regularly winter or stop in this site during migration.
Human activities have left many important traces, mainly linked to fishing and bearing testimony to the life of this "water civilisation"; the main routes of the valley are thus scattered with Casoni di valle and fishing lodges.
At present, it is possible to follow an historical-naturalistic itinerary (by boat or on foot) which, starting from Stazione Foce, touches the restored Casoni.


Casone Foce
A few kilometres far from Comacchio, it is possible to visit the Foce fishing lodge with its Museo delle Valli and the famous “lavoriero”, a fishing tool used to catch eels.
Casone Foce is the departure point of several charming itineraries across the Valli.

The Salt Pans
Covering more than 600 hectares behind Lido degli Estensi, the salt pans still present a plant dating back to the Napoleonic period. The canals and the water expanses form an environment of great natural interest, within which Parco del Delta del Po dell’Emilia – Romagna is carrying out works of environmental recovery in order to produce salt for didactic aims and to enhance the popular use of the site.

Argine Agosta
It is an ancient Roman bank crossing the Valli, which used to link Ravenna to Adria. The road skirts the lagoons and offers impressive landscapes.

Fossa di porto Reserve
The reserve lies close to the Argine Agosta, on the north-west border of Valli di Comacchio: it is a favourite nesting site for Black-winged Stilts.

Argine Reno
The bank skirts the southern limit of the Valli and acts as a border between the river Reno and the lagoons. It can be followed either on foot or by bike, and it offers a wonderful view over the Boscoforte peninsula. It also represents a good observation point to sight an extraordinary variety of birds reproducing or halting in this site.

Vene di Bellocchio
Situated between the SS Romea road and the sea, within the provinces of Ferrara and Ravenna, this site is classified and protected as a Nature Reserve.

Spina
The Etruscan built the flourishing town of Spina on the delta, next to a rich necropolis which was brought to light during the excavation campaign of the '60s (a beautiful collection of funereal finds is kept in the Archaeological Museum of Ferrara). The remains of the large Greek-Etruscan settlement were brought to light at the beginning of the 20th century, at the time of the reclamation of the Trebba, Pega and Mezzano lagoons.
Spina - risen around the 6th century before Christ - was an important commercial centre between the Adriatic sea and the Po plain.

Vallette di Ostellato
This wetland is what remains of the ancient Valli del mezzano. The Wildlife Reserve covers about 200 hectares of land and canals, some of which are navigable. This natural site houses 150 bird species, such as the Kingfisher, Mallard, Coot, Black-winged Stilt and Marsh Harrier. Some typical plants are the Common reed, the lris pseudoacorus and the recently introduced White water-lily.