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professor emerita in Wilfrid Laurier University’s Department of History
has been elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC)
Recognition by the RSC is the highest honour a scholar can achieve in the arts
Comacchio taught at Laurier from 1993 to 2022 and won two teaching awards during her tenure
gender and age are important variables in both identity and social formation
mapping how the culture of childhood has changed across decades
starting from its very youngest citizens,” says Comacchio
It has always mattered and always will in positioning people in society
Societies tend to project their ideals and aspirations onto young people
so what a child ‘should be’ at any given time says a lot not just about the present
but about what we want Canada to be in the future.”
Ring Around the Maple: A Sociocultural History of Children and Childhoods in Canada
Comacchio and her co-author and mentor Neil Sutherland trace the condition of children in Canada from roughly 1850 to 2000
a time when modernity increasingly disrupted traditional norms
Notable shifts included the growing importance of media and more solitary
“There’s a propensity to think of the 1950s as a golden age of childhood,” says Comacchio
“One thing I can say for certain is that historians are not nostalgic
We know only too well that there never was a golden age of childhood or anything else
starting from its very youngest citizens."
Much of Comacchio’s research involves looking “beneath the surface” at how class
regional and religious differences impact the experience of childhood
“The experience isn’t the same for every child,” says Comacchio
We need to know about the oppression of Indigenous children because that’s a problem that persists
It is generational and we need to do better
We can only do that by knowing the past as it was
not as we would like it to have been.”
Ring Around the Maple is the fourth book in Comacchio’s prolific career
which also includes three edited collections and 31 articles
Her earlier books include 2008’s The Dominion of Youth: Adolescence and the Making of Modern Canada
which won a Founders Prize from the Canadian History of Education Association; 1999’s The Infinite Bonds of Family: Domesticity in Canada
1850-1940; and 1993’s Nations are Built of Babies: Saving Ontario’s Mothers and Children
She is currently writing about the long-term impacts of war on veterans’ wives and children
“Cynthia’s election into the Royal Society of Canada is a remarkable recognition of her contributions to the study of the history of children and childhood,” says Deborah MacLatchy
“I am immensely proud to see a Laurier scholar receive this prestigious honour
which reflects the excellence in research and teaching at our university.”
Comacchio calls her RSC election a “personal triumph” given her humble roots
The daughter of working-class Italian immigrants
she was the first Canadian-born member of her family to attend university
Comacchio was initially inspired to study history by listening to her parents’ stories from the Second World War and their subsequent immigration
“There were happy stories and traumatic stories
and I was fascinated by them,” she recalls
“I didn’t realize it at the time
but my parents weren’t just telling stories of their own lives
They were telling the stories of a generation who went through a historic experience together and came out with a collective consciousness.”
collecting and recording other people’s childhood memories
Comacchio’s own are top of mind as she celebrates her latest honour
“I only wish my parents were here to experience it with me because they would be so thrilled,” says Comacchio
but it would mean so very much to them.”
By selecting “Accept” and continuing to use this website
A piece of the delta's history returns to its former splendour to celebrate a past too important to be forgotten
a life spent between the ubiquitous water and the meagre patches of flat land
The Museo dei Fuochi tells of these affairs with its twelve functioning chimneys that served to give the eel that characteristic cooking that has put it back on modern menus
the spits (until a few decades ago turned by the courageous women of Comacchio)
the ancient structures and the barrels have all been restored to recreate the fascinating storyline of a territory interwoven with legends and truths
A museum that is not just a place to visit
but also a symbol that allows us to fully understand the true conditions of a land constantly struggling with itself
From November until Februaryfrom 09:30 to 13:00 and from 14:30 to 18:00Sundays and holidays from 10.00 to 17.00Closed on Monday
From March to June / September to October from 09.30 to 13:00 to 15:00 to 18:30 Closed on Monday
July and AugustOpen everyday from 09:30 to 13:00 and from 15.00 to 18:30
INFOTel: +39 053381742manifatturadeimarinati@parcodeltapo.itwww.imarinatidicomacchio.it
Full entry ticket 5.00 €Reduced entry ticket 3.50 € for people who are older than 65
groups with over 25 people and people under 18 (from 11 to 17 years old).Free entry for residents of the municipalities that are members of the Po Delta Park (Comacchio
Ravenna,Cervia and Alfonsine);Free entry for disabled people and their chaperones
children under 11 only if accompaniedby their parents
card-holding journalists and card-holding tour guides
Come and meet us:Este Castle
Library online: libreria online
But choose instead Ravenna and its little canal-laced coastal neighbour Comacchio and you’ll find this distinctive pairing mixes the magical elements of all three — but without the throngs."},"children":[]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Though often overlooked by tourists today
since Ravenna was the thriving capital of a trio of empires — Western Roman
Ostrogoth and Byzantine — for three centuries
That storied glory has left no fewer than eight Unesco world heritage sites in its old town lanes and piazzas
Ravenna is a place of literary pilgrimage too
where Dante found final refuge after fleeing troubles elsewhere
Catching one of the 6pm readings that"},"children":[]},{"name":"paywall","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":" take place daily at his mausoleum on Via Dante Alighieri (where else?)
it’s hard to imagine that until the great poet proved otherwise
while having an affair with a countess — a tie that will see a Byron museum open this October in the 17th-century Palazzo Guiccioli
given I’m here to discover a characterful alternative "}},{"name":"link","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Venice"}}],"attributes":{"href":"https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/europe-travel/italy/venice/venice-m3bqxkf0j"}},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"
a hotel just as charming as any La Serenissima has to offer.
There are fewer than a dozen people at the 5th-century mausoleum of Galla Placidia (half-sister of Emperor Honorius
who ruled the Western Roman Empire in the 4th century) when I arrive for my first taste of the city’s Byzantine mosaic interiors
“Jesus in Ravenna is depicted as a young man
lively and happy — not suffering on the cross,” she tells me cheerfully
considered a template for the epic Hagia Sophia in Istanbul
The soaring interior is a shimmering tribute to early Christian A-listers such as Empress Theodora (wife of the 5th-century Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian)
So diverting were the mosaics at nearby Basilica Sant’Apollinare Nuovo
that the 6th-century Pope Gregory the Great reputedly ordered them blackened to keep worshippers focused
Yet there’s only a couple of dozen other visitors dotted about a soaring interior whose walls include a panel in one corner featuring the oldest known artistic depiction of the Last Supper
nearly a thousand years before Leonardo’s."}}]},{"name":"image","attributes":{"id":"7ca016ff-2980-49e1-b4e6-24d093a3ed6e","display":"fullwidth","caption":"Basilica di San Vitale
Close to Dante’s tomb and its adjacent museum
Caffe Alighieri’s small plate twists on classic Romagna "}},{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"cucina"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" include tiny spoja lorda pasta parcels with lemon
plus grilled cuttlefish with fava beans and artichoke served up in Ravenna’s finest portico (mains from £10; alighiericaffecucina.it)
strozzapreti pasta provides chunky accompaniment for clams
while squid comes stuffed with turnip greens and olives
This is not only where Dante’s funeral service was held in 1321
but it’s also home to one of Ravenna’s most magical sights — a glorious flooded crypt
where slipping a one-euro coin into a slot brings up lights to reveal goldfish gliding serenely across a 10th-century mosaic floor."}}]},{"name":"image","attributes":{"id":"47b63556-6410-441c-8102-88513b7dfbf1","display":"fullwidth","caption":"The Basilica di San Francesco
where Dante’s funeral service was held in 1321
The MAR contemporary gallery on Via di Roma — fronted with a giant horse statue by Mimmo Paladino — is a monastery conversion where a permanent exhibition spotlights a modernist mosaic movement that drew artists such as Chagall (mar.ra.it)
It also reveals how Klimt’s visits to Ravenna spurred glittering details in masterpieces such as "}},{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"The Kiss"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" and "}},{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"
There’s a mosaic take on a classic Banksy outside too."}}]},{"name":"inlineAd1","children":[]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"It’s time to move on to the sea
with its main quay roughly where the expansive Piazza del Popolo stands today — before centuries of Po Delta silting shifted the shore eastward
a gentle cycle trail (or local bus) runs four miles from the heart of town to coastal pine woods behind Punta Marina
the closest of a string of little lido resorts reaching up to Comacchio
here it is: a working lagoon town built atop 13 little islands
with canals winding through a colourful 17th-century town
There’s a 15th-century fishing harbour here too
where my local guide Pietro Cavalieri D’Oro pauses to chat to his fisher cousin on the quayside
I ask about the ramshackle huts on stilts framing the lagoon shore all around Comacchio
“They were built for clam farmers,” he says
a heritage chronicled in the Manifattura dei Marinati
the former pickling factory turned evocative museum (£2.50; ferraraterraeacqua.it/it/comacchio)
Much of the old working structure remains in place
including the canal-side portal where eels were brought in directly by boat
before being spit-roasted and preserved in bay leaf-infused vinegar and then stored in towering wooden tubs that still fill an adjacent room
Though overfishing has decimated the catch
the museum’s giant pine-fuelled fireplaces flame back into life every autumn for the town’s annual eel festival (September 28-October 13; emiliaromagnaturismo.it/en/events/comacchio-eel-festival)
Trattoria La Pescheria offers memorable canalside dining (mains £15; +39 0533 81597)
while rustic Il Bettolino has classic dishes such as roast eel with polenta; it’s a mile outside the town beside the lagoon (mains £15; +39 344 057 1330)."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"In the 1950s
drawn by its status as an untouched miniature Venice on the Po Delta
Sophia Loren expressed a desire to make a film in Comacchio
as a fiery fish wife working in the pickling factory — the resulting cult 1954 movie "}},{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"La Donna del Fiume"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" ("}},{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"The Woman of the River"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":") remains celebrated around the town
right down to moody stills of Loren staring down sultrily over the glistening piscine haul at Pescheria Trepponti
named after the nearby three-way canal bridge that is a Comacchio icon."}}]},{"name":"image","attributes":{"id":"6bf2e6bc-572d-48a5-8e10-1aeb78123f11","display":"fullwidth","caption":"Trepponti
the three-way canal bridge in Comacchio","title":"","credits":"Getty images","url":"https://www.thetimes.com/imageserver/image/%2Fmethode%2Ftimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2F8b9e623a-63e4-404a-8ef1-d8577ff8b6e6.jpg?crop=5000%2C3020%2C0%2C0","ratio":"5000:3020","relativeHorizontalOffset":0,"relativeVerticalOffset":0,"relativeWidth":1,"relativeHeight":1},"children":[]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"After lunch
I clamber into D’Oro’s little boat to nose out into serene lagoon channels
puttering into the watery idyll of the Po Delta National Park
Low-slung whitewashed cabins ("}},{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"casoni) "}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"dot the banks
where generations of fishers once spent weeks at a time trapping eels in V-shaped wicker traps
For more than an hour we chug gently along
without seeing another human being — just flamingos taking to the air at our approach
skimming the water like elongated pink darts."}}]},{"name":"inlineAd2","children":[]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Mooring at one "}},{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"casone"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"
I’m immersed in a sense of hardy historic lagoon working life
standing alone amid sparse interiors dotted with rough-hewn wood furnishings and straw beds
I look out over old eel traps poking above the tranquil lagoon waters
absorbing a calming silence — and wondering if Ravenna and Comacchio might be Italy’s most perfect contrasting neighbours."}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Norman Miller was a guest of Kirker Holidays
which has three nights’ B&B in Ravenna at a historic palazzo such as Gironda Suites ("}}]},{"name":"link","children":[{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"gironda.me"}}]}],"attributes":{"href":"http://gironda.me/"}},{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":") from £998pp
"}}]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"link","children":[{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Become a subscriber"}}]}],"attributes":{"href":"https://www.thetimes.com/subscribe/"}},{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" and
along with unlimited digital access to The Times and The Sunday Times
you can enjoy a collection of travel offers and competitions curated by our trusted travel partners
eat and do","slug":"comaccio-venice-emilia-romagna-ravenna-travel","categoryPath":"/travel/destinations/europe-travel/italy/comaccio-venice-emilia-romagna-ravenna-travel-htzgc0gr2","__typename":"Article"},"Image:fd61a550-3de8-417a-b44c-57a1675f8dfb":{"caption":"Coastal Comacchio in Emilia Romagna quietly mixes the best elements of Bologna
bars and more should help you work it out.","slug":"cannes-v-st-tropez-which-is-better","categoryPath":"/travel/destinations/europe-travel/france/cannes-v-st-tropez-which-is-better-k0xm7p9q8","__typename":"Article","summary({\"maxCharCount\":105})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"There’s always been a bit of rivalry between the sultry
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medieval marketplaces and gorgeous gardens without the crowds","slug":"padua-city-break-what-to-see-and-donorthern-italy","categoryPath":"/travel/destinations/europe-travel/italy/padua-city-break-what-to-see-and-donorthern-italy-fsswz9ppt","__typename":"Article","summary({\"maxCharCount\":105})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"What do pianos
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The first examples of"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":125})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"What do pianos
The first examples of each were created"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":145})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"What do pianos
The first examples of each were created here in Padua
The"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":160})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"What do pianos
The former stomping"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":175})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"What do pianos
The former stomping ground of Galileo"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":225})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"What do pianos
The former stomping ground of Galileo and Copernicus
eat and doCoastal Comacchio in Emilia Romagna quietly mixes the best elements of Bologna
Venice and FlorenceALAMYNorman MillerWednesday August 28 2024
The TimesFoodie powerhouse Bologna sits 50 miles to the west; cultural corker Florence 90 miles southwest; needs-no-adjective Venice 90 miles to the north
But choose instead Ravenna and its little canal-laced coastal neighbour Comacchio and you’ll find this distinctive pairing mixes the magical elements of all three — but without the throngs
Catching one of the 6pm readings that take place daily at his mausoleum on Via Dante Alighieri (where else?)
Italian was dismissed by snobs as a language of the vulgar
• 26 of the best places for an autumn city break
The British poet Byron wrote poetic homages to Dante and Ravenna during three years here (1819-1821)
alongside a Doll Museum and museum dedicated to the 1860s reunification of Italy
The 5th-century mausoleum of Galla Placidia is an exquisite example of Byzantine mosaic interiorsALAMYRavenna’s historic pleasures generally come without tourist hordes — helpful, given I’m here to discover a characterful alternative Venice
before revealing that Cole Porter took inspiration for his 1930s Great American Songbook classic Night And Day from gazing at the blue and gold celestial firmament glittering in ancient Venetian glass bits above me
But this is just a preamble to the vast octagonal Basilica di San Vitale next door
one of the most important examples of early Christian Byzantine art in western EuropeGETTY IMAGESMy suppers are memorable too
Caffe Alighieri’s small plate twists on classic Romagna cucina include tiny spoja lorda pasta parcels with lemon
draped with samphire (mains from £15; osteriadeltempoperso.it)
• 21 of the best places to visit in Italy
where slipping a one-euro coin into a slot brings up lights to reveal goldfish gliding serenely across a 10th-century mosaic floor
is also home to a flooded crypt with a 10th-century mosiac floorALAMYRavenna’s art scene isn’t all ancient
It also reveals how Klimt’s visits to Ravenna spurred glittering details in masterpieces such as The Kiss and Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer
There’s a mosaic take on a classic Banksy outside too
The ramshackle fishing houses that line the shores of Comacchio’s lagoon were built for clam farmersALAMYIf you had to imagine a miniature Venice from pre-tourism times
getting drunk and spending time with lovers.” That sounds like an older Venice too — from Casanova’s time
Comacchio was once the eel capital of Europe — and an annual festival celebrating the fish is held each autumnComacchio was for centuries the eel capital of Europe
while rustic Il Bettolino has classic dishes such as roast eel with polenta; it’s a mile outside the town beside the lagoon (mains £15; +39 344 057 1330)
as a fiery fish wife working in the pickling factory — the resulting cult 1954 movie La Donna del Fiume (The Woman of the River) remains celebrated around the town
named after the nearby three-way canal bridge that is a Comacchio icon
the three-way canal bridge in ComacchioGETTY IMAGESAfter lunch
Low-slung whitewashed cabins (casoni) dot the banks
skimming the water like elongated pink darts
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after a brief illness on 29 September 2024
at Guelph General Hospital. Born in Istrana
Ida immigrated to Canada in 1953 at the age of 16 with her mother and four of her seven siblings
She soon found work to establish her new life in Canada
living with her family on Ferguson Street and later Anthony Avenue. She married Nilo on 22 October 1960 and together they built a happy home
raising three children on the outskirts of Guelph
They embraced their new life in a new country
and encouraged their children to aspire to higher learning
encouraging a balance between achievement and enjoyment
Ida loved baking and cooking for the family
There was always a treat to be enjoyed at Nonna’s house. She enjoyed many crafts especially the arrangement of dried flowers and Bunka embroidery
Ida was pre-deceased by her husband Nilo (1998) and daughter Daniela (Nesbitt
2014). She will be lovingly remembered by her children Pierre (Theresa) and Denise (Arthur Smith)
Sabrina and Myles. In her 88th year
Ida was the last surviving member of her nuclear family
She will be fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews in Canada
Resting at the Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home
where the family will receive their friends on Thursday
Guelph. A reception will follow the burial in the Hart Chapel Fellowship Lounge
and staff at Guelph General Hospital for their compassionate and exemplary care
Thanks also to the staff and community at Chartwell Wellington Park where Ida resided for the past 2 years
donations to the Foundation of Guelph General Hospital or the Children's Foundation of Guelph and Wellington would be appreciated by the family
"I am very honoured to receive this award and humbled to be among other outstanding scholars at the University of Guelph
It is also a particular thrill to be elected alongside Cynthia Comacchio from the Tri-U whose work I've always greatly admired!" says Catherine
Two Tri-U scholars internationally renowned for their work were named as Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada on September 3
This recognition by the RSC is the highest honour in the Arts
Catherine Carstairs is a nationally and globally renowned scholar and historian whose work focuses on health and inequity
Her award-winning work demonstrates how racism
ageism and class have shaped our past and created health inequalities today
With a longstanding record of international and interdisciplinary collaborations
her research has had a major impact on the discipline of history and generated wide-spread media interest
Cynthia Comacchio’s award-winning studies on childhood and youth in Canada have made significant inroads into the historical cultures of the young
She is especially interested in how self formation is mediated by shifting class
and influenced by new technologies and media
Her inaugural application of interdisciplinary and transnational frameworks
place her in the top rank of Canadian social historians whose work is internationally recognized
"I’m equally thrilled about being inducted with Catherine as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
We've worked on grad committees together and have many research interests in common," says Cynthia who is now retired
before she was born," she adds with a smile
The Tri-University Graduate History Program acknowledges its debt to the many Indigenous peoples who have inhabited and continue to inhabit the lands these three universities stand on
and we humbly accept the work of reconciliation
We are also on Bluesky
Contact Faculty and Staff
by Walter Manni /// November 22
Five villages we have chosen because they are far from the city
and even more when they are immersed in the atmosphere of Christmas in Emilia Romagna
Sparkling canals and festively decorated boats, all surrounded by the Christmas atmosphere of the floating city: strolling through Comacchio during the Christmas festivities is a truly evocative experience
The Christmas festivities immersed in one of the most beautiful villages in Italy
where you can pamper yourself with suggestive walks and local gastronomic specialties
This is what awaits you if you decide to spend Christmas in Brisighella, a delightful medieval village overlooking the Lamone Valley. The Santa Claus torchlight procession is also scheduled on Sunday 15th December 2023
And in addition, you are in Romagna
a stone’s throw from the seaside and the most important and renowned Italian entertainment centers
A world in which to immerse yourself completely
away from the hustle and bustle of the city
where the festivities rediscover their historical and human dimension: a deep dive directly inside the true Italian Christmas tradition…Have we already convinced you
Explorer and Adventurer: loves sailing the oceans
climbing the highest mountains and surfing on the waves of the web
by Walter Manni /// December 4
by Elisa Mazzini /// December 4
by Davide Marino /// November 7
an email (in Italian) with selected contents and upcoming events
by Davide Marino /// June 22
by Elisa Mazzini /// June 7
by Davide Marino /// May 18
by Walter Manni /// November 13
For information, contact us: inemiliaromagna@aptservizi.com
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By Simon Bajada
there were no roads to Comacchio—the sleepy fishing outpost was only accessible by water—so it’s understandable that the Italian town and its people still have an air of superstition when it comes to outsiders
It hasn’t progressed like the more touristy destinations nearby dotting the Adriatic coast (Venice is a two-hour drive north)
but travelers prepared to forego some modern luxuries will be rewarded with a trip back in time
and a taste of its most delicious export: eel
Comacchio recalls a mini Venice (not far north along the Adriatic coast).Like the curious creature that put it on the map
Situated at a delta where several waterways meet the sea
the wetland-rich landscape is reminiscent of a scene out of True Detective—while the inner town could pass for Venice in miniature
with its picturesque network of canals and arched brick bridges
Mirella with her Bec d’Asan.The locale is perhaps best experienced in September and October
when the doors of the Manufactura de los Marinati (preserving factory) are flung open and visitors can feast on Comacchio’s local “gold.” Sophia Loren famously danced around the space in the 1954 film La Donna del Fiume (“The River Girl”) as hundreds of eels roasted on spits in the background—and the cinematic setting just adds to the impressive meal on offer
A classic not to be messed with: the grilled eel and polenta at the Sagra dell’Anguilla (eel festival).First
an antipasti of fried then pickled anchovy
followed by penne in a rich mantis shrimp and tomato sauce
fried school prawns and whitebait act as show openers to the star dish: grilled eel on humble polenta
None of this fritto misto gets a drop of lemon juice (my request for the citrus was denied); the flavor is so superior
locals consider it somewhat of an insult to attempt to embellish it further
a local checks his nets in front of his home for any eel or fish he may have trapped overnight.In Comacchio
and excessive stock prompted the development of preservation methods (still used today) to maximize profits
the pieces are placed in a simple brine of vinegar
before being sealed in cans with the original 1950s packaging worthy of design awards
Nowadays eels rule the town for tourism rather than large-scale manufacturing
During the Sagra dell’Anguilla (the annual Eel Festival that kicks off in late September)
stalls pop up along the canals selling local delicacies and every restaurant has a special set menu
At the outskirts of Comacchio, fences made of reeds act as traps to catch fish and eel out on the Po Delta. The stone building is one of the old warehouses where stock was cooked and preserved.At Il Bettolino Di Foce
a destination eatery that stands at the end of a dusty car park under a vast open sky
a stretch of ramshackle fishing huts and old stone factories where fishermen once lived for weeks at a time
add to the ambience and reflect the locals’ straight-forward approach to preparing their treasured ingredient
“The rich meat needs nothing,” says Fillipo
Oily eel skin develops a beautiful crust when grilled
and it's immediately obvious why the combination has never changed
Mirella prepares eel for cooking and preserving.Another perfect pairing
it’s also featured in the Bec d’Asan—a stew of tomato
and eel that translates to “donkey’s beak,” an Italian expression for a simple
who has cooked up and down the Adriatic Riviera since the 1980s
holds back on the vinegar when making the dish
going off the techniques and recipes passed down from his grandmother (herself a locally renowned home cook)
insists the stew gets generous splashes of the stuff
And when we start eating it’s clearly warranted; the vinegar permeates the oily flesh and balances out the flavor
Local fisherman Giancarlo carries his nets.Like most things in Comacchio
residents don’t feel the need to add flourishes or tweak traditional recipes
we don’t change anything,” Mirella confirms
That’s reason enough for a visit—just remember to ask for lemon at your own risk
Get the recipe for Grilled Eel with Polenta >
Get the recipe for Bec d’Asan (Emilia-Romagna-Style Eel Stew) >
Get the recipe for Italian-Style Preserved Eel >
Get the recipe for Emilia-Romagna-Style Eel Risotto >
Local fishermen Carletto and Giancarlo reset a net before pulling up eels from the trap.
At the outskirts of Comacchio, fences made of reeds act as traps to catch fish and eel out on the Po Delta. The stone building is one of the old warehouses where stock was cooked and preserved.ADVERTISEMENTADADAt Il Bettolino Di Foce
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Text description provided by the architects. Project for a new private home on the outskirts of Bassano del Grappa (VI) - The project area is located at the entrance to the Valsugana, at the foot of the Grappa massif on a sloping terrain.
The building is placed partially embedded in the ground in order to create different views and play with the heights of the garden.
able to hold a collector’s vehicle and some canvases on rotation
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the features I kept coming across were waterways
and dozens of recipes for Anguilla anguilla
If that last part doesn’t seem that appetizing
There is a whole lot more there worth seeing (and eating)
I knew little about the place before setting down to write this piece
I may have encountered the name before while watching a travel show or reading a guidebook
After my deep dive into the delta waters of ‘Little Venice’
there is no doubt that we all need to put this town of 22,000 on the top of our touring list as soon as possible
Venice viewed them as a threat to their power and choked the area off economically
Comacchio drifted into the fog of memory for many centuries
many of its surrounding swampland was drained and transformed into agricultural plots
allowing the residents a respite from constant mosquito bites and ensuing malaria
While Comacchio has entered the modern age with the rest of Italy
there is still a sense of stepping back in time when one glides down the canals and valli and sees the fishermen at work
where 12 restored ovens run continuously roasting eels on spits the same way it was done 500 years ago
Comacchio is so proud of its eel heritage that it puts on an eel festival every year in the fall
usually over three weekends in September and October
and after many months of prayer to the Virgin Mary
The topini are a way of keeping the memory of deliverance alive
Comacchio is the other floating city still waiting to be discovered
largely preserved and free from the chaos of La Serenissima
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continued hiring and advancements mark Company's growth
today announced the promotions of four members of the Company's actuarial leadership and plans to develop actuarial resources to accommodate the Company's current and protracted growth
Justin Smith was named Chief Underwriting Officer; Ms
these promotions reflect both the ongoing refinements in leadership that evidence the Company's commitment to advancement from within its ranks
as well as developing talent to expand the enterprise through extraordinarily accomplished professionals applying intelligence
creativity and experience to key decisions and decision-making: "We have long treated our leadership as a kind of faculty in which our intelligentsia may flourish in a creative
yet demanding environment that often simulates a think tank as much as a C-Suite
This approach has proved successful and has attracted great talent to Applied Underwriters
such as the highly accomplished professionals we have promoted today
We are continuing to hire and to seek top talent in each insurance discipline," he stated
having held several roles for over twenty years in insurance pricing
he taught at Oxford University and worked as an economist for the UK Government
He holds ten patents in the insurance field
Smith is a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries
He holds a Bachelor of Arts with first class honors in Philosophy
MA and PhD (Economics) degrees from Oxford University
joined Applied Underwriters in 2009 following ten years in the insurance field at Aon Hewitt and Kaiser as an actuarial consultant and health actuary respectively
Hong is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries
an Associate of the Casualty Actuarial Society
and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries
She holds a bachelor's degree in Accounting from Xiamen University and a master's degree in Actuarial Science from the University of Iowa
she has been in the insurance field for 35 years
including service at Fireman's Fund and Milliman prior to joining Applied Underwriters
Klucarich is a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries
She was graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Madison with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics
Previously he was the Corporate Actuary at Greenlight Re
He brings reinsurance experience in both underwriting and actuarial science. An Associate of the Casualty Actuarial Society and the Society of Actuaries
Comacchio was graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and economics
before earning his Master of Business Administration from Georgia State University
For further information contact: Ryan Gerding, Public Relations, at +1 (913) 602-8531 or at [email protected]
About Applied Underwriters (www.auw.com)Applied Underwriters® is a global risk services firm that helps businesses and people manage uncertainty through its business services
Applied Underwriters has been distinguished by its innovative approaches to client care and by its strong financial strength
Applied Underwriters operates widely throughout the US
Its operational headquarters is located in Omaha
http://www.auw.com
has announced leadership appointments to continue to spur the growth of its United Risk group
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Text description provided by the architects. Project for a new private home on the outskirts of Bassano del Grappa (VI). The body of the building is composed of two volumes orthogonal to each other in a classic “T” composition. Inside, the served and serving spaces find a logical and functional organization, which through its orientation defines the most private external garden and unexpected internal spatiality.
Access to the house is from the road to the north. Once through the gate, the building appears as a compact and opaque volume, protecting the garden in the south area. The large dark pitch, which overlooks the single storey, appears and disappears among the trees kept within the area.
the space projects the visitor into the living area
and the view is captured by the large corner window that frames the garden
by Davide Marino /// August 28
When you think you’ve seen everything, there is always something else to surprise you… A few days ago I visited the Peninsula of Boscoforte
between Ravenna and Comacchio… But let’s start from the beginning
The Boscoforte’s peninsula is a strip of land, about 6.5 Km long, which dates back to the Etruscan age, more than 2000 years ago, at the border between Ravenna and Ferrara. Today it is the land known as Valleys of Comacchio
and wind have created a landscape that everyone should really see with their own eyes
This place is one of the richest and diverse European ecosystems
Characterized by warm brackish water and strong wind
the oasis of Boscoforte follows the road connecting Comacchio to the small town of Anita (Argine Agosta)
arriving to the northern edge of the Reno river
This area has always been closed to the public – it is private land and can only be visited by booking a guided tour
It is the kind of place where the beauty of nature makes you forget about time and space
especially if you find yourself there during sunset as the sun plays games with light and shade
The space is big and every time you change your point of view you find yourself in front of a different panorama
The only sound you can hear is the birds singing as they use this area to rest during their migratory flights
flora and fauna are rich and full (a paradise for birdwatchers and for nature photographers) – almost unique
but also for the lucky people that have the chance to visit this place
one of the most beautiful areas of the Emilia-Romagna region
For sure, the most evocative moment is when you meet the wild Delta/Camargue horses that moved here in the beginning of the 80s
they spend their days moving in small flocks
but above all also for us and anyone who wants to discover this beautiful area of Emilia-Romagna
If I have intrigued you and you want to visit the Oasis of Boscoforte, you can contact the NatuRa Museum of Ravenna (+39 0544 528710) or go to the website www.atlantide.net/natura to find out the times and departures of the next tours
Davide Marino was born archaeologist but ended up doing other things
by Elisa Mazzini /// February 18
by Walter Manni /// May 17
by Giulia Delaini /// April 23
by Davide Marino /// March 29
← →
whose life cycle remains shrouded in mystery
is a staple of the continent’s cultures and cuisines
But after decades of decline in its populations
scientists are calling for a total ban on catching the iconic fish
V-shaped eel traps cross from shore to shore on Italy’s Comacchio Lagoons
pointing like arrowheads out to the Adriatic Sea
When eels headed to their ocean breeding grounds arrive at the tip of the V
Metal replaced wood and reeds in the 1980s
but otherwise the design of the trap is the same as it has been since ancient times
who was clearing a trap in one of the lagoons’ northern basins
a single night’s catch could total 10 tons
seventeen…” Gelli grabbed tight onto the slimy fish and tossed them into a plastic tub
where they slithered over each other in slimy circles
Comacchio’s eels once filled the lagoons; now they fit inside a bucket
Yet so calamitous has the collapse of the European eel population been over the last half-century
the species now risks going the way of the passenger pigeon
the International Union for Conservation of Nature took the step of classing the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) as critically endangered
the European Union adopted a comprehensive eel regulation establishing measures to support the recovery of the stock
including through seasonal fishing closures and limits
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But a recovery has failed to materialize, and scientists now say that only urgent and extreme action can save this iconic fish. In its annual report for 2024
the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) — the regional fishery advisory body whose findings provided the basis for the EU’s Eel Regulation — is now urging that “there should be zero catches in all habitats.” For many biologists
seems like the last option left after many years of neglect
“It’s been a century of ‘we knew the problem and we didn’t face it,’” Willem Dekker
a Dutch biologist known as the architect of the EU Eel Regulation
Eels are at once a familiar component of European culture and a mystery to everyone who has ever studied them
Aristotle tried to crack the question of eel reproduction as early as the 300s B.C.
eventually concluding that the fish must miraculously generate out of muddy riverbeds
Nor had they witnessed eels reproducing in the wild
a page in the scientific record that remains blank to this day: No pair of European eels has ever been caught in the act
European eels are born in the Sargasso Sea
an amorphous body of water in the Western Atlantic bordered not by land but by shifting ocean currents
larvae are then carried on the current to Europe’s Atlantic and Mediterranean shores
they complete their first metamorphosis into longer but still transparent “glass eels.” Glass eels travel up freshwater streams and rivers
living for years or decades as longer and darker “yellow eels” before finally transitioning to shiny and reproductively mature “silver eels.” At that point
some unknown force calls them to swim down to unfathomable depths on a migration of nearly a thousand miles back to the Sargasso Sea
The eel’s mysterious life cycle resists standard fisheries science
biologists often rely on a figure called the spawning stock biomass
which is calculated as the total biomass of reproductively mature fish
Since reproductively mature European eels hide far out of sight in the dark depths of the Atlantic
there is no way to accurately estimate the species’ SSB
“Fish stock assessment is a routine business and involves a lot of mathematics,” said Willem Dekker
“There are protocols for how to do it.” In the case of European eel
“doing those things without knowledge
without the hard models that make life so easy
Since management authorities cannot rely on aquaculture to meet market demand and relieve pressure on wild eel stocks
they have had to focus on more direct conservation strategies
But they are struggling to come up with solutions
since the reasons for the European eel’s collapse are not straightforward
Data collection has revealed a 15 percent annual drop in the levels of glass eels arriving at European coasts beginning in 1980
There are clearly a number of factors at play in this long decline
Octopuses are highly intelligent. Should they be farmed for food? Read more
as shown by the failure of the EU’s fishing regulations to produce a recovery
and land reclamation cut off important migration routes
are also known to lower eels’ reproductive chances
and a warming Atlantic may be shifting the currents eels rely on to complete their life cycle
The recent surge of illegal trafficking of juveniles to Asia has surely put another dent in the population
In order to ban the capture of European eels
the European Parliament would need to repeal and amend the current EU directive requiring countries to adopt measures to support the stock’s recovery
This seems unlikely given that a 2023 committee vote on a resolution calling for renewed commitment to the regulation won the support of 80 percent of delegates present
and also it wouldn’t help,” Andrew Kerr
the chair of a nonprofit coalition of conservationists
and commercial fishermen called the Sustainable Eel Group (SEG)
told me over video call from his home in England
What you need is a very controlled level of fishing
but we have to work on all the environmental factors.”
The mysteries surrounding the eel allow different groups with their own priorities to shift the blame for the collapse
The SEG argues that the management focus should be on ensuring that glass eel fisheries
which account for about 90 percent of the legal European market
operate within the bounds of existing EU regulations
The group has developed a standard for all commercial operators to follow for SEG certification and is also pushing to combat trafficking to Asia
Eel fishermen around Europe fear their livelihoods being put on hold by a fishing ban
and they argue that the authorities should be addressing other known mortality factors
the threat of the country’s 2,300 hydropower plants
whose turbines routinely tear migrating eels to shreds
is estimated to be equal to or greater than that posed by fishing
On the shores of Häno Bay in southeastern Sweden
a group of fishermen and activists is campaigning to preserve the eel fishing traditions of the area
and which survive in the form of traditional eel dinners inside the fishermen’s cottages
a local historian and board member of Eel Coast Cultural Heritage
criticizes policymakers for evading the questions of hydropower turbines and habitat degradation
and opting to pick the “low-hanging fruit” of fishing restrictions
mature eels leaving the Swedish coastline are being fished,” he claimed
Are sea cucumbers a cleanup solution to fish farm pollution? Read more
almost unanimously maintain that imposing a fishing ban is necessary
a biologist consultant for the Po Delta Park
insists: “We don’t want to extinguish the fishery
But if we need to stop fishing for five years
The population numbers continue to go down; soon we risk going underneath the survival threshold of the species.”
Matthew Kleiner is a freelance writer based in New York. He grew up in western Massachusetts and works for the Secretariat of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean. More about Matthew Kleiner →
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Text description provided by the architects. Following the 2012 earthquake that struck Emilia Romagna a competition was announce to rebuild a destroyed school gymnasium in Massa Finalese.
The site, which is located in the north-east side of a school park, is the border between the urban area and the country side, suggesting the new building to be the new “connecting tool” between these two realities.
© Alessandra BelloThe main focus is to create a structure able to soften the urban/country “boundary” and to characterize the whole of the school park as well:
A new identity blooms through contemporary design contributing itself towards a new local architectural language for the post-earthquake restart.
SectionFrom the ruins of the destruction the new gymnasium is born:
A landmark where the new generations can train and confront themselves and lay the foundations for a better future. The building is extremely simple: a pure volume, almost monolithic with a single big opening that allows the view towards the cultivated fields from the spectators’ seats and from the playing field.
© Alessandra BelloThe ancillary spaces, extremely introspective, look out onto a tree-lined patio. The natural elements are the main actors and playing their part in the gymnasium: trees are hugged by the building and become the backdrop of the interior spaces while the cultivated fields, just like a painting, are the scenery of the playing field.
Diagram 6The problematic social conditions determined by the dramatic effects caused by the earthquake
and the demands of the competition which required fast construction time and a very low construction cost
have decisively influenced the design choices: a particularly dry construction technology is chosen in order to build up the whole building in only 5 months with a low construction cost while ensuring the achievement of high energy performance
The case of the Roman ships of Comacchio and Ravenna
two vessels dating one from the first century B.C
is back in the news: the older one was discovered in 1980 during drainage work on a reclamation canal near Comacchio
used to transport a wide variety of materials (lumber
and wrecked near the mouth of the Po River
also known as the “ship of Theodoric” (as it dates back to the time of the king of the Ostrogoths)
was discovered in 1998 (in Ravenna) during excavations for the construction of a drainage system: in this case it is a vessel of paramount importance because
it represents one of the oldest (if not the oldest) evidence of the change in ship-building technique where the hull is made of load-bearing skeleton.However
despite the fact that the ships have been discovered for decades
they are still not accessible to the public: in fact
there is a lack of funding to restore and exhibit them
despite the fact that cyclically their case comes back to the forefront
when news came of an allocation from the Ministry of Cultural Heritage for the restoration of the oldest ship
while the fate of the one from Ravenna was uncertain
which was nevertheless stored in a laboratory in Comacchio awaiting restoration
there were no developments on the 1st century B.C
The issue of Roman ships is now being brought to parliament by Bologna Senator Michela Montevecchi (5 Star Movement)
who is launching a parliamentary question to Cultural Heritage Minister Dario Franceschini
“To date,” Montevecchi recalls
“the discovery of which has inestimable archaeological and cultural value
are neither accessible nor visible to the public because due to lack of funds the restoration could not be completed
the Mibact allocated in 2014 a funding of 75 thousand euros
After the initial enthusiasm it would seem that nothing more has been done either for the recovery of the ships or for the enhancement of the archaeological area where they were found
one of the two ships has been buried again at the site of Santa Maria in Padotevere (Comacchio) to prevent its deterioration while the other lies closed and inaccessible in the Museo Delta Antico.”
Montevecchi therefore asks Franceschini if he is informed about the developments of the situation (the minister
is familiar with the ships’ affair since “he himself held the department in 2014”) and if he does not consider it appropriate to investigate the causes of the failure to restore and the interruption of the excavations
by Davide Marino /// August 31
I guess you will agree with me when I say that the opening of a new museum is awesome news
an achievement for culture in general and a great event to celebrate and share with as many people as possible
this type of news reveal my inner punk-humanistic soul and make me want to grab a megaphone and scream it out loud
After long scientific research and planning
a new exhibition area was inaugurated in 2017
The museum saw the involvement and participation of several public and private institutions and was strongly wanted by the community
from its early traces of the Bronze Age to the Middleage
Comacchio Channels | Photo © Roberto Fantinuoli
Ancient Hospital for the Infirm | Photo © Vanni Lazzari
Over 1000 square metres and 2000 findings: these are the numbers of the new exhibition area
The tour will lead you on a journey through the natural area of Po Delta
that for centuries represented an important trading and cultural node connecting the Mediterranean with continental Europe
The museum features spectacular reconstructions
divided into 5 sections according to themes and historical periods
Trepponti Comacchio | Photo © Vanni Lazzari
by Davide Marino /// February 9
by Davide Marino /// November 22
by Walter Manni /// February 16
by Elisa Mazzini /// March 16
An Addison man faces child pornography charges as the result of a three-month police investigation
was arrested Monday after police executed a search warrant at his residence
He was charged with five counts of aggravated possession of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography
The investigation was conducted by the Carol Stream and Addison police departments and the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office
Comacchio was transported to the DuPage County Judicial Center to await a bond hearing
29 June, 2023 By Nia Kajastie
Italian drilling rig manufacturer Comacchio has appointed AGD Equipment as a distributor for its full range of continuous flight auger (CFA) and rotary piling rigs and tools in the UK and Ireland
AGD Equipment has a large rental fleet of specialist equipment and a modern workshop
civil engineering and ground engineering sectors
Comacchio provides drilling rigs and tools for foundation installation
The Italian firm recently chose AGD Equipment as its new supplier of piling rigs and tools
The Comacchio CH range of piling rigs currently includes seven multipurpose machine models
The rigs can be configured to cover a range of applications
The range also includes dedicated CFA rigs
designed to maximise productivity and efficiency in a variety of soil conditions
AGD Equipment has taken over from UK-based North Equipment
which partnered with Comacchio for six years
Comacchio general manager Alberto Dalle Coste said: “We recognise growing interest for our piling rigs in several markets
we are grateful to North Equipment for the contribution made to Comacchio’s growth in this segment and are proud to welcome and announce the passing of the baton to our newest dealer AGD Equipment
established more than 40 years ago and now spanning four generations
They really share our values on exceptional aftersales support and dedicated relationship building with customers
“We are confident that our partnership with AGD Equipment will help us to continue providing our local customers with an outstanding quality
offering an innovative and multi-purpose product range and customised solutions to cover their foundation equipment needs.”
AGD Equipment will operate alongside JKS Boyles UK
which is an exclusive supplier of Comacchio’s micro piling and anchoring equipment
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Graham Construction has been appointed the main contractor for the initial phase of a £90M deep-water terminal in Belfast
with work on the project due to start this week
Dublin’s proposed 19.5km long Metrolink railway project is moving towards a planning decision
with key firms appointed to help take it to delivery stage
The April 2025 issue of Ground Engineering includes site reports on challenges at the Dunkettle Interchange Upgrade scheme outside of Cork in Ireland and stabilisation measures on an A-road in Wiltshire
Bam and Quinn Piling are progressing with pile installation on the site of the €102M (£85M) Narrow Water Bridge project
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08 January, 2021 By Nia Kajastie
Socotec’s Ground Investigation team recently invested in three new Comacchio rotary drilling rigs to strengthen its geotechnical offering
has added three new geotechnical machines to its UK fleet
These include one Comacchio GEO 205 HT and two Comacchio GEO 305 HT rigs
The latter features a height adjustable rod clamp assembly
which Socotec said was a world-first for a rig of this type
Socotec Ground Investigation operations director Clare Chapman said: “By adding three new Comacchio rotary drilling rigs to our fleet
Socotec’s Ground Investigation team remains committed to maintaining a high-quality
flexible and bespoke service offering that meets the growing demand for ground investigation and geotechnical projects
Socotec’s Ground Investigation team can provide an integrated package of services across the whole project lifecycle to accurately investigate
Tagged with: Comacchio drilling rig Socotec
Skanska appoints a new energy operations director
and Socotec UK chooses a new chief executive officer in the latest people moves from the sector
inspection and certification solutions provider Socotec UK has acquired Bedford-based Impulse Geophysics for an undisclosed sum
Sheffield Forgemasters and Vinci Building have moved to the next phase of constructing the UK’s largest open-die forging facility
with Cementation Skanska starting piling work
Balfour Beatty names a new project director for Old Oak Common station and the British Drilling Association welcomes a new chair in the latest people moves
by Elisa Mazzini /// August 31
Fishing huts can be visited all year round
But discovering Emilia-Romagna’s fishing huts also means stepping back in time
in a sort of open ecomuseum focused on the daily life and age-old fishing traditions of these wetlands
North-to-south route passing through the lagoon and valley system, rich in biodiversity, of the Po Delta Park
Must-see stops: Mesola, Goro, the Mesola forest, Comacchio, and the San Vitale pine grove
South-to-north route to discover the life of local communities
Must-see stops: the salt pans in Cervia
Must-see stops: Sant’Apollinare in Classe, the Classis museum, the Salt Warehouses
Bask in the magical atmosphere of the fishing huts
capture it on camera and cherish it forever
Social Media Manager for @inEmiliaRomagna and full-time mom
by Elisa Mazzini /// July 7
by Walter Manni /// July 27
by Walter Manni /// July 20
by Davide Marino /// March 13
Overlooking the Adriatic Sea, Spina was one of the most important cities of the Po Valley Etruria. A favored port of Athens on the Po Delta and the Adriatic
it became the hub of trade between Greece and the Po Valley
the gateway of “Greekness” to the West and the site of ancient myths such as that of Daedalus and Icarus
More than 4,000 tombs have been found here since 1922
in which numerous Attic ceramics have been found
and since 1956 the settlement of Spina has been the subject of investigations that continue to amaze
To celebrate Spina’s 100th anniversary
from May 2022 the town of Comacchio (near which the ancient Etruscan port is located) and its territory will be the site of events and special novelties for visitors to immerse themselves in the Etruscan universe of the ancient town.The exhibition at Palazzo Bellini in Comacchio.To tell the story of Spina’s 100th anniversary
the Art Gallery of Palazzo Bellini in Comacchio will host the exhibition Spina 100 - From Myth to Discovery: a century after the discovery of the Etruscan city
with an exhibition itinerary articulated in a sequence of rooms to relive the discovery of ancient Spina and its treasure
to its role as Athens’ privileged port in the northern Adriatic
its decline around the mid-3rd century B.C.
the excavations with the discovery in Valle Trebba of the first tomb during some land reclamation works in the Comacchio Valleys
An Open Air Section of the Ancient Delta Museum will be inaugurated in the area of Stazione Foce in the Comacchio Valleys
where tourists and enthusiasts will be able to admire live a full-scale reconstruction of a cross-section of ancient Spina with Etruscan houses made of wood and marsh reeds
built following the clues that emerged from archaeological investigations
Visitors will thus be able to walk in an environment very similar to the one that Greeks and Etruscans admired 2,500 years ago
retracing a journey through time that will then transport visitors from the ancient Etruscan buildings
to the evocative casoni of the Po Delta Park with its unique landscapes
the city on the water where the Museo Delta Antico houses among wonderful rooms an Etruscan section dedicated to Spina
The Open Air Archaeological Park was created within the framework of the “VALUE” project
which sees the collaboration of the Municipality of Comacchio with the Superintendence
Regional Directorate of Museums Emilia Romagna and the Universities of Ferrara
which will undertake new research campaigns to better investigate the structure of the ancient settlement of Spina and its territory
afternoon conversations in the pronaos of the Museo Delta Antico in Comacchio (at 6:30 p.m
historical representations in a touristic key
To unveil Spina as a place of Mediterranean connectivity
functional to the understanding of the phenomena of mobility and contact between objects
people and ideas belonging to different cultures and composites
On the Visit Comacchio website www.visitcomacchio.it tips and tourist packages to discover the area
For information: Visit Comacchio Strada Statale 309 Romea, Comacchio (FE) Tel: 0533 307030, 346 0921618 E-mail: info@visitcomacchio.it. Web site: www.visitcomacchio.it
Image: the Museum of the Ancient Delta in Comacchio
There is no need to be a fan of contemporary art to appreciate it
is inspired to the Bauhaus movement and was built in 1971-1973 on a project by architect and designer Nanda Virgo
Brindisi collected a great number of prestigious works ranging through a whole century of international contemporary art
with an emphasis on the Milanese art of 1950s-1970s
Among the most significant masterpieces are those by Picasso
Moreover: Spatialism and Nuclear Movement (Fontana
It is also possible to admire some works of art from the early XX Century: masterpieces by Medardo Rosso
The Museum of Contemporary Art “Remo Brindisi” has gained the Quality Museum status
recognized by Istituto per i Beni Culturali dell'Emilia-Romagna
Sunday and public holidays 10 am -12.30 pm / 3 pm - 6.30 pm
Admission: € 6.00; reduced € 3.00 (ages 11-18
Supplement for an evening guided tour: € 6.00 full price — € 3.00 children from 11 to 18 years — free up to 10 years of age
Part of the “Comacchio Museum Pass” offer, the only ticket to visit all Comacchio museums.
Come and meet us:Este Castle
by Davide Marino /// February 5
Italy’s most beautiful cycle path is in Romagna
at the border between the territory of the province of Ravenna and the one of Ferrara
We are in the heart of the Po Delta Park, in the southern area of the Lagoons of Comacchio
an oasis of biodiversity representing the gathering place of flocks of flamingos and millions of migratory birds flying every year from Africa to Northern Europe
This itinerary – called L’Argine degli Angeli (lit
the angels’ embankment) – develops on the bank that separates Valle Furlana and Valle Lido di Magnavacca and is accessible both on foot and by bike
Thousands of white-feathered birds accompany visitors along this route
There are so many that this itinerary feels like a gentle glide over the waters of the lagoon
Officially inaugurated at the beginning of last summer
this itinerary has already become a favorite destination for cyclists
The path is made up of a long gravel road easily accessible to all kinds of bikes – although it is advisable to use MTB and gravel bikes (for velocipedes – speed limit 15 km/h)
The path connects the bank of the Reno river to the Oasis of Bellocchio
displaying one of the most stunning landscapes of the Po Delta Park: 5,4 kilometers on the edge of the water
and flamingos taking flight as you pass by
If you are well-trained you can also start directly from Ravenna or Casalborsetti. If you decide to do so, it is advisable to consider these bike routes
of which you can also download .gpx and .kml tracks
you have to start from the fishing station of Bellocchio
which is easily reachable from the nearby towns of Lido di Spina and Lido Degli Estensi
From here, Porto Garibaldi and the lovely Comacchio are easy to reach, thanks to flat and well-marked cycle paths, which are also part of the Adriatic Cycle Route connecting Kranjska Gora in Croatia to Ravenna
the institution in charge of the Park can decide to temporarily close the access to the path
by Davide Marino /// June 26
by Elisa Mazzini ///
by Davide Marino /// August 10
by Davide Marino /// June 12
Emilia-Romagna is and has always been a welcoming land
the Riviera Adriatica is a perfect pet-friendly destination
where you can spend your summer holidays with your four-legged friends
From the beach towns of Comacchio to the beaches of Cattolica
the entire coast offers a wide range of services and dedicated pet-friendly spaces for a completely relaxing stay
there are the institutions (Region and Municipalities) that identify free access pet-friendly beaches and behaviours to be respected; on the other hand
private facilities – like beach establishments
– offer pet owners and their four-legged friends a perfect stay by the sea
Many beach establishments are now well-equipped to welcome you and your beloved pets
Every municipalities of the Riviera has got its own ones
A perfect pet-friendly destination such as Romagna cannot fail to also have adequate accommodations to welcome tourists and their pets
pampering them with practical and useful services
which you can easily find on the internet or on tourist websites
the compass that guides pet-friendly services of the Riviera is respect for the health and well-being of animals
The heat of summer is intense and hard for them as it is for us
so take care and pay attention to your beach umbrella-mates: they don’t want to get a tan but just to be next to you
If you have chosen Comacchio and its beach towns as your summer holiday destination and you are going to take your pets with you, here are the free beaches where you can go with them:
You can access all these beaches with your pets
such as the periods and times in which you can let your dogs swim in the sea:
It is allowed for 5 dogs to swim in the same stretch of sea at a time
If we move from Comacchio to Ravenna, here are which pet-friendly beaches have free access
Pets must be kept on a leash and can swim in the sea right in front of the mentioned beaches
It is preferable to keep dogs out of the water in the central hours of the day
provided that they are not dangerous or disturb other people (to reach the shoreline
it is necessary to use the appropriate walkways and connecting platforms)
At all other times access to beaches is forbidden to any animal
except for lifeguard dogs or guide dogs for visually impaired people
In Cesenatico there are 5 stretches of free beach that you can access with your dogs:
Dogs can access the beaches and swim in the sea from 6 am to 8.30 am and from 7 pm to 9 pm
In the two capitals of tourism in Romagna, Rimini and Riccione
dogs can swim in front of many equipped beach establishments on the coast
although access is limited to specific hours and periods
As in the above-mentioned towns, there are rules and regulations to follow. Check out the ones about the beaches of Rimini and the ones about Riccione (otherwise in italian)
animals can swim in the sea from 6 am to 8 am and from 6.40 pm to 9 pm
in front of the licensed pet-friendly beach establishments
it is possible to let them swim from 6 am to 7.30 am and from 7 pm to sunset in three different stretches of free beach:
You can access these beaches with your dogs only if they are registered
have undergone parasite treatments and vaccinations and are not dangerous for other people
by Davide Marino /// May 22
by Davide Marino /// May 30
by Davide Marino /// July 10
A new £10m 'state-of-the-art' accommodation block has been opened at the Royal Marines' principal training centre in Devon
Based at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) in Lympstone
the building will house Royal Marine recruits who have been injured during training
Known as the Comacchio Building after one of the Marines' famous Second World War battle honours
There are 21 eight-bed rooms and one 10-bed unit
plus three single rooms which can be used for support staff or individual troops
Inside the building are multifunction communal spaces
and a kitchenette that can be used as a classroom with provision for IT
Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) Project Manager
said: "This purpose-built facility will provide modern and essential accommodation to personnel and to allow them to continue training as they recover from injury and undergo rehabilitation prior to re-joining their normal unit."
The new facility was opened by the Commandant of the CTCRM
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by Davide Marino /// May 22
From the beaches of Ferrara to the border with the Marche region, 9 beaches in Emilia-Romagna have been awarded the 2024 BLUE FLAG certification
The decision was taken by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE)
which every year examines the seaside towns of more than 50 European and non-European countries and awards the prestigious certification to the best ones
More than 30 different parameters are taken into account and
the beauty of a seaside resort and its beaches are of secondary importance
The main aspects that are taken into consideration are the health conditions of the sea
the administration of the territory and of the waste
urban furniture and accessibility to the beaches
the presence of cycle paths or green areas
but also the presence of appropriate safety and comfort plans within individual beach establishments
With its 110 kilometers of sandy bathing beaches
Emilia-Romagna is confirmed also in 2024 as one of the best Italian and European destinations for a happy and sustainable summer holiday
Comacchio is an oasis of wellness
desire for the sea and the essence of pure nature
We are in the 7 beach towns of Comacchio, halfway between Ferrara and Ravenna, poised between the blue Adriatic Sea and the green Po Delta Park
offering long stretches of beach with shallow waters where children can play in all safety
A perfect destination to enjoy the sea and the nature with the family
Ravenna is a city of unparalleled charm, home to as many as eight Unesco World Heritage monuments
The blue Adriatic Sea is only a few kilometers away from the historical centre of the city
with nine beach towns stretching along 35 km of coastline
Each one of them has its own characteristics and meets different needs according to the type of stay: sun and relaxation, games, sports and fitness and, last but not least, the great amusement park Mirabilandia and the zoological park Safari Ravenna
Added to all this is the excellent cuisine of the Romagna tradition and the many trails in the nature and in the green of historical (San Vitale and Classe) and coastal pine forests, integral part of the great Po Delta Park
On one side is Milano Marittima, with its haute-couture fashion shops, trendy clubs and late-night parties; on the other is Cervia
ancient seaside village that grew up around salt pans and fishing nets
and today is populated by hotels that offer wellness and gastronomic holidays with a glamorous touch
Every year, many tourists from all over Italy and Europe come to the fine sandy beaches of Cesenatico
but above all the high-quality local cuisine related to the identity of this ancient seaside village
wide tree-lined boulevards and vast green areas make for a perfect holiday for anyone looking for a relaxing atmosphere
The best time to visit Gatteo Mare and San Mauro Mare is undoubtedly summer
this small town on the Adriatic coast proves to be an ideal place for a safe and relaxing stay
modern facilities and well-equipped beach establishments make this place suitable for all families… and you immediately feel at home
Located right in the middle of the Riviera Adriatica, the ancient seaside village of Bellaria Igea Marina is today a modern
The golden beaches and its wide range of possibilities for tourists make it very attractive
the countryside of wheat fields and orchards tempts visitors – both by bike and on foot – along the banks of the Uso river: unique itineraries that will make your stays unforgettable
It’s true: tourism was born not far from the beaches of Misano Adriatico
with a long beach and a scenic city dock in Portoverde
this town has always been a perfect destination for traditional family holidays
enriched with excellent beach establishments and high-quality accommodation facilities
Not far from the town, the roaring engines at the Misano World Circuit do the rest
attracting many speed freaks from all over the world
Known as the green pearl of the Adriatic, Riccione is famous all over Europe for its hospitality and electrifying nightlife
The wide and fine-sand beach offers state-of-the-art facilities and its beach establishments – all full of comforts – will offer you special and sophisticated atmospheres
Those who love fun will find what they are looking for, with the great amusement parks as Aquafan and Oltremare Park and the best-known clubs scattered around the territory
by Davide Marino /// June 18
by Davide Marino /// July 5
Any recommendations on specific bagni in Misano (or other 2 beaches near Rimini) that have great service
THERE'S a town in Europe that's been likened to Venice for several years because of its long canals and multicoloured houses
The Italian town of Comacchio in Emilia-Romagna is often dubbed "Little Venice" thanks to its network of picturesque canals
According to Italy Magazine
the town received its nickname after it was built on 13 islands connected by bridges and a maze of canals
While the architecture of both Italian destinations is very similar
Sun Online Travel has found hotels in the centre of Comacchio for £50 per person per night at the start of the peak season
Meanwhile, similar hotels in the heart of Venice cost at least twice the price
with many costing £150 per person per night
Because the bridge is at the junction of five different canals
it is made of five staircases that connect the walkways
Originally built as a defensive gate
the bridge is home to two small towers too
Other bridges in the town include the Ponte Degli Sbirri
and the Ponte delle Carceri (the Bridge of Jails)
including Loggia del Grano - the town's clock tower
Inside Palazzo Bellini, holidaymakers will find other sites, like a library and an art gallery
Despite its small size, the town is also home to a museum called Museo Delta Antico
The archeological museum is home to a number of incredible artefacts, including an ancient Roman boat
Arguably, one of the best ways to spend an hour or two is by admiring the multicoloured houses
which run alongside the banks of the canals
The town is also home to a large fish market (called a Pescheria), which means seafood
Because of its coastal location, Comacchio is also close to plenty of beaches
including Bagno Gallanti Beach and Bagno Sagano
Both of the beaches are just a 10-minute drive from Comacchio
Bologna Airport is the closest to Comacchio
Both Ryanair and easyJet operate direct flights from several UK cities
Fares start from £15 for a one-way ticket, with flights taking approximately two hours and 20 minutes
Emilia-Romagna is home to plenty of other picturesque spots too, including Rimini
The stunning seaside city has been tipped as a top holiday spot for 2024 by a team of travel experts
According to Skyscanner
Rimini has seen a 362 per cent increase in online searches from last year
The main reason people visit Rimini is for its nine-mile stretch of shoreline, with the city the biggest beach resort on the Adriatic Sea
Several other towns and cities in Italy have been compared to Venice in recent years, including Treviso
Set in northeastern Italy
and proximity to the Veneto Prosecco region
Because of these similarities, the small Italian city has been compared to Venice for many years
And there's one English city that tourists can’t stop comparing to Venice
Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/
by Davide Marino /// January 11
“Where the land doesn’t seem to start and the sea doesn’t end” might be the perfect headline for a book on the PO DELTA PARK
to get to know better one’s own territory and what it offers
especially when you happen to be in one of the most extraordinary ecosystems in the world
We have told you about the beauty of this gigantic oasis more than once in the previous editions
bone of contention between two regions – Veneto and Emilia-Romagna for its woods and pine forests
Beyond the usual organizational and logistic issues (at least if it’s your first journey in a van)
because the park is well-equipped with a number of rest areas and campsites
The territory doesn’t feature any specific restrictions and is well-connected
A widespread network of documents, information, and services available in the visitor centres and museums to meet your needs and give you valid departure points from where to start your explorations in the rich cultural
naturalist and food and drink heritage of the area
the Tourist Information Points and the local Pro Loco offices are at your disposal
granting you in this way full support for every step of your journey
The Po Delta Park is still the perfect destination for anyone who wants a holiday in direct contact with nature — not for this setting aside the sea — and who want to go for excursions without walking too far away from their campervan
Birdwatchers will find these areas a real paradise due to the multitude of species they can observe and photograph
it’s not by chance that every two years Comacchio hosts the famous International Po Delta Birdwatching exhibition
All the area is perfect to enjoy fully your love for sports and outdoor life
the head of some species of typical local bird pops out from the vegetation
and having everything at a stone’s throw is of use
A sure thing is that Mesola is the perfect departure point
Your stay in this area will give you many surprises. You can choose to stop by the grand court of the Castle of Mesola, one of the many Este Villas left on this territory
Don’t forget to make a stop at the sluice of the Abate Tower, a plumbing system dating back to 1569; or you can just go on and walk across the Natural Reserve of Gran Bosco Della Mesola
an ancient hunting arena and one of the last and best-preserved examples of countryside woods
Along the road leading to Goro and Gorino, you cross a suggestive bridge of boats that brings you to the mouth of the Po river, up to the wide lagoon (also known as ‘Sacca’)
The whole area is known for the production of mollusks
we suggest you stop by one of the many restaurants in the area
And don’t forget the excursion to the Island of Love
the last stretch of land that divides the river Po from the sea
It’s a sandy beach that you can reach only per sea
at the centre of which towers a lighthouse
making the whole landscape something terribly romantic
Once you’ve left the mouth of the ‘big river’ behind and are back in the inland, you can drive to the big Abbey of Pomposa
it is one of the most important medieval monastic complexes in Italy
You can’t certainly miss its artistic and monumental treasures
An infinite network of water streams is what marks the area of the Valleys of Comacchio
which has been acknowledged as the homeland of the eel and many bird species
At the centre of this natural ecosystem over an area of 13,000 hectares, develops the sea village of COMACCHIO
an old fluvial city that started to grow in importance from the Middle Ages
the city centre stands out for its tidy water streams that reflect the many overlooking pastel-colored houses
you should visit the valleys of Comacchio without any rush: there are so many itineraries and themed tracks
we suggest you ask for the scheduled events and tours at the information offices you will find spread across the area
You absolutely cannot miss a visit to the Saltpans of Comacchio and to the Pickling Factory
and you definitely should have a fish dinner and make an excursion across the valleys to admire the flock of flamingos
In addition, the House Museum Remo Brindisi in Lido di Spina and a stop at the Oasis of Boscoforte
Of course, there is always the sea and the seven beach towns with their wild and libertarian character will meet the most different needs
There are many itineraries around the Comacchio valleys: on foot
Our advice is to request information on the planned initiatives
The area south to the Valleys of Comacchio is rich in suggestions and originality. Among pine forests and brackish natural lagoons, the nine beach towns of Ravenna can give you amazing landscapes and relaxing moments
of course: each beach town on the coast of Ravenna has its own peculiarities and can meet different needs
The meeting point to start your tour and discover the nature in this area might be the NatuRa Museum in Sant’Alberto
which organizes a number of itineraries all year round
just at the foot of the namesake pine forest
Finally, yet importantly, the sea village of CERVIA is famous for its thousand-year-old saltpans that welcome flamingos
avocets and many other protected species that every year choose this place to rest in their never-ending migrating from hot to cold areas of the World
by Davide Marino /// April 21
by Davide Marino /// September 26
by Elisa Mazzini /// April 13
Emilia-Romagna is not just about art and food. In this land that goes from the Adriatic Sea to the Apennines, you will find some of the rarest ecosystems in Europe and a network of natural parks made up of 2 national parks
Among the many landscapes that you can discover from the wetlands of the Po Delta Park to the mountain peaks of the Apennines
here are 5 spots that you must visit if you want to enjoy nature in Emilia Romagna
Central station of the Po Delta Park, the Comacchio Valleys are composed of sheets of water that cover more than 13 thousand hectares and are home to a wide variety of bird species
Not only are they home to seagulls and terns, but as many as nine species regularly nest here and many other very rare species have chosen this lagoon area as their ideal breeding habitat. For example, the largest Italian colony of flamingos and the only Italian colony of spoonbills are based in the Comacchio Salt Pan
The Foce Fishing Station – which hosts the Museum of the Valleys and the “lavoriero” used for fishing eels – is the perfect starting place for picturesque routes to explore the valleys by boat or foot
The lake of Ridracoli
created by the Ridracoli Dam of the Bidente River
is a perfect example of balance between human engineering and natural environment
It is located in the town of Bagno di Romagna
on the Apennines in the Forlì-Cesena province
The lake is at 557m above sea level and it covers an area of 1.033km2
A corner of paradise in the Casentino National Park, which offers many opportunities for recreation and physical activity, from boat trips to all kinds of hiking itineraries, such as the walk that from Rifugio Ca’ di Sopra reaches the Lama Forest
A landscape of hills and mountains, made up of ancient chestnut groves, woods, karsts and medieval villages, which rises from 174 metres above sea level at the bottom of the Panaro River valley to 808 metres above sea level at Monte della Riva
The Corno alle Scale Regional Park
named after the highest peak of the Bologna province Apennines
is a park that protects a precious territory made up of a complex variety of flora and fauna
the imposing peaks that create the striking Valleys of the Dardagna and Silla Rivers rise high above the rest
The Dardagna river has its source in the Cavone basins and flows into two distinct streams: the main one (to the east) descends from Corno alle Scale
while the secondary one (to the west) falls from Monte Spigolino in a series of charming waterfalls
The Dardagna Waterfalls are undoubtedly one of the most popular natural features of the area. Tou can easily reach them in just a few hours with a scenic loop trail
The route starts from the Sanctuary of the Madonna dell’Acero
Lake Santo Parmense
is the largest glacial lake in Emilia-Romagna as well as the largest natural lake of the Northern Apennines
Located in the municipality of Corniglio, the lake is found in the western part of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines National Park and is part of the Regional Park of 100 Lakes
This lake is easily accessible from Rifugio Lagdei with a chairlift. You can also reach it on foot by following the easy path 723A, which takes less than an hour to Rifugio Mariotti
This is also the starting point for the 2nd stage of the Alta Via dei Parchi trail
It’s a long walk that leads to Prato Spilla along the “Lake Ridge”
a suggestive succession of glacial valleys
by Elisa Mazzini /// October 19
by Elisa Mazzini /// July 13
by Elisa Mazzini /// March 29
by Celestina Paglia /// July 23
by Margherita e Nick The Crowded Planet /// November 23
by Davide Marino /// May 26
by Davide Marino /// November 22
and in Emilia-Romagna you can already smell the typical atmosphere characterising December every year
The streets are lightened up with vivid colours
nativity scenes decorate shop windows and churches in the historical centres
and traditional markets fill up the squares with stands full of gifts and tasty treats
Christmas is a magical moment in Emilia-Romagna
the perfect time to spend some days with your friends and family
Especially at Christmas, Grazzano Visconti is not a village like the others
it gets surrounded by a timeless and magical atmosphere to fully experience and savour
It is just the perfect place for those who look for that Christmas spirit made of lights, markets and entertainment for the little ones
Designs and lights make the small village on the outskirts of Piacenza very unique and surprising
so much so that is visited by curious people and visitors who come here from near and far to spend their Christmas weekends
an ice-skating rink: Grazzano awaits you with a true Christmas village
where you can get lost among market stands
Comacchio, in the province of Ferrara, really has a charm beyond words. The picturesque canals and monuments make this small city – immersed in the Po Delta Park – a compelling destination all year round
During the Christmas holidays
the “small Venice” is surrounded by an even greater appeal
coloured sets and artistic nativity scenes under the bridges of the historical centre
you will find markets on boats and the Comacchioland Christmas Village with itinerant shows and funny activities dedicated to the little ones
Spending your Christmas holidays in Comacchio doesn’t only mean visiting one of the many spectacular villages in Emilia-Romagna, but also experiencing a very surprising territory rich in interesting places, such as the nearby Ferrara, or the city of mosaics Ravenna
Have you ever been to Cesenatico
you may have already admired its canal port
which is the background of the social life and promenade of citizens and tourists
And this is right the place that – during the Christmas holidays, from the first Sunday of December – hosts a unique and charming attraction: the traditional floating nativity scene of Marineria
The historical boats become a setting and host aboard a nativity scene with more than 50 life-size statues surrounded by lights reflecting on the water
the smell of roast chestnut and mulled wine
the rich stands of the markets where you can buy or taste typical products
If these fascinating proposals are not enough for you and you want more
Fanano is located at the foot of the biggest ski circuit of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, the one of Mount Cimone
bound to the ancient traditions that you can still breathe by walking in the historical centre
Every two years, it also hosts the suggestive representation of the Nativity and of the ancient crafts along the streets of the village (alternating with the Living Crib in Fiumalbo)
Made of wood or stone, small or big, animated or still – every year the traditional nativity scenes flood the village of Longiano
located on the hills of Romagna (which was also honoured with the Orange Flag by Touring Club)
which gets even more unique thanks to the Christmas lights and the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the place
In the days before Christmas, Sant’Agata Feltria – known for the sale of truffles – hosts the traditional national fair “Il Paese del Natale”
which has become one of the most important winter events in central Italy
who come here to discover its rich markets characterised by a fascinating atmosphere and ancient traditions
by Walter Manni /// November 22
by Arturo Castellini /// December 17
by Walter Manni /// December 11
by Elisa Mazzini /// November 29
by Elisa Mazzini /// November 28
by Keith Jenkins /// August 31
Emilia-Romagna is a region in northern Italy, located roughly between Venice and Florence. It’s a region that doesn’t immediately spring to mind when one hears about Italy, but Emilia-Romagna has a lot to offer visitors
Despite its numerous attractions, the region remains relatively off-the-beaten-path for many visitors to Italy. Its many UNESCO World Heritage sites
you may find yourself admiring the region’s rich cultural and architectural heritage with almost no one around
Emilia-Romagna is an easy drive from Venice
making it the perfect getaway from the bustle of Venice
The A13 highway and SS309 road lead from Venice right into the heart of Emilia-Romagna in about two hours
It’s also possible to get to Emilia-Romagna by train from Venice
the capital and largest city in the region
lies in the centre of the major rail routes between Milan
The Frecciargento high-speed line whisks passengers from Venice to Bologna in just 1.5 hours
visitors can explore the rest of the region using local trains
I strongly recommend hiring a car in Venice to explore Emilia-Romagna
I’ve highlighted below various places in Emilia-Romagna that make for an interesting and immersive getaway by car from Venice
Visitors can go on long hikes through the nature reserve or a boat tour to explore the waterways
The SS309 road from Venice passes the Po Delta so if you’re driving
it’s easy to plan a stop for a nature walk
Continue driving along the SS309 and you’ll reach the town of Comacchio (less than two hours from Venice)
Locally known as the ‘Little Venice’ of Emilia-Romagna
Comacchio lies on 13 islands on the edge of a lagoon
dissected by canals and connected by bridges
The town lacks the grandeur of Venice but certainly makes up for it with its charm
This fishing town can trace its roots back 2,000 years and is filled with rows of colourful houses
Don’t miss the beautiful Ponte dei Trepponti (bridge)
Make sure to plan a lunch stop in Comacchio. Famous for its seafood
local Comacchio dishes to try include seafood risotto
Just outside Comacchio are the town’s seven beaches on the Adriatic coast
There’s a variety of beach clubs and restaurants where visitors can enjoy the sun
Continue south along the SS309 road to Ravenna one of my favourite towns in Emilia-Romagna (about 40 minutes’ drive from Comacchio)
boasts no less than eight UNESCO World Heritage sites
I recommend spending at least one night in Ravenna to truly enjoy the town and its historic sites
Ravenna is compact and all the major attractions are within walking distance
Ravenna is relatively off the tourist trail
allowing visitors to enjoy its historic wonders at a leisurely pace
The biggest attraction in Ravenna is the 1st century AD Basilica di San Vitale
home to some of the most treasured examples of early Christian and Byzantine art in Western Europe
another gem awaits: the Mausoleo di Galla Placidia
has been the source of inspiration for artists and musicians for centuries
Ravenna is a lively town with heaps of deliciousness
arguably one of the best gelaterias in Ravenna
The chocolate fountain near the entrance is sufficient to make your mouth water
enjoy an aperitivo (pre-dinner drinks with snacks) at the lively Piazza del Popolo (the main town square)
51) or at the Ca de Ven restaurant/bar (Via Corrado Ricci
a true Ravenna institution famous for its authentic Romagna cuisine
Restaurants in Ravenna I can recommend include Ca’ de Ven
Osteria dei Battibecchi (local food in a homely ambiance; Via della Tesoreria Vecchia
Antica Trattoria Al Gallo 1909 (fabulous food in stylish
89) and Ristorante Alexander (fine-dining restaurant housed in an old cinema; Via Bassa del Pignataro
A short drive from Ravenna are the town’s beaches lined by thick pine forests and various beach clubs and restaurants
Beach clubs to look out for include Singita Miracle Beach and Charlie Beach
These are popular places for the locals who come here to enjoy the beach
A UNESCO World Heritage listed town, Ferrara is a treasure trove of 15th century Renaissance architecture
with imposing palaces and medieval walls that are still intact
Ferrara is another Emilia-Romagna gem that begs to be explored
This pedestrian and bike friendly town has a history that goes back at least 2,000 years
the powerful Este family made Ferrara their seat of power
monuments of which can still be seen today
The foremost example from this era is the Castello Estense
an impressive 14th century castle with four huge bastions and a moat built in the centre of Ferrara
Visit the castle to admire the magnificent frescoes and learn about the House of Este
a family that rivalled the powerful Medici in Florence
Just down the road from the Este Castle is another Ferrara landmark: the Duomo or Cathedral
Across from the Duomo is the beautiful 15th century Town Hall
This historic building served as one of the residences of the Este family and features a stunning marble staircase
Other attractions in Ferrara include other Este palaces such as the Palazzo dei Diamanti (home of the National Gallery) and the Palazzo Schifanoia
with its amazing frescoes and the breathtaking Salone dei Mesi (Room of the Months)
I also recommend exploring the arched lanes of the southern district (or the old Ghetto)
reputed to be Italy’s oldest tavern that’s still in existence
If you’re looking for a more contemporary dining experience
check out Ca’ d’ Frara Trattoria Moderna (Via del Gambero
take the A13 highway to Padua and continue on the A57 to Venice
The drive back to Venice takes less than 1.5 hours
Keith is the Founder and Publisher of the Velvet Escape luxury travel blog
Keith left his ten-year investment banking career to travel the world and carve out a new career as a travel blogger and social media advocate
He has visited more than 80 countries across six continents
Keith often speaks at travel and social media conferences
He is also the co-founder of the Global Bloggers Network
a community of more than 3,000 travel bloggers
by Daniel Clarke /// February 8
by Davide Marino /// December 7
by Davide Marino /// November 16
by Kevin Raub /// October 15
by Davide Marino /// November 8
the Po Delta Park is part of the UNESCO MaB Biosphere Reserves thanks to an ecosystem and biodiversity enhanced by sustainable development strategies
The Park is born in the last part of the course of the River Po
It extends over two regions for a total of 64 thousand hectares: 12 thousand hectares inside the province of Rovigo in Veneto and 52 thousand hectares in Emilia Romagna between the provinces of Ferrara and Ravenna
The park represents harmony between land and water in a continuation of different environments: flooded woods
pine groves and forests alternate with freshwater and saltwater wetlands
A true protected paradise for lovers of nature
a varied territory which thanks to its biodiversity hosts approximately:
The vastness and environmental diversities have led to the birth of six stations
enchanting and picturesque locations which follow one another in a changing and dynamic environment
Station 4: Pine grove of San Vitale and Pialasse di Ravenna
Station 5: Pine grove of Classe and Salt Pan of Cervia
The Po Delta Park is one of the most important wetland areas of Europe and the largest in Italy
We will try and describe the uniqueness of the landscapes of Station 5
which includes the territory of Cervia with its salt pan and pine groves
Enchanting Cervia between Salt Pan and Pine grove
Gateway to the south, the Salt Pan of Cervia is located between the stations and the most picturesque locations of the park. With its 827 hectares and more than 14 km of canals, it has become a Nature Reserve, nesting area for many species and unmistakable stopover point for lovers of birdwatching
guardian of history and destination of environmental tourism
the pine groves are a true oasis for lovers of nature and wellbeing
Following the climatic events of July 2019 the New Urban Park project was launched to re-evaluate and requalify the areas of the pine groves that were badly hit
Trips and guided tours to get to know the beauty and traditions of the territory
Sunset bicycle excursion to the Camillone Saltpan with final tasting of typical products
A unique opportunity to witness the flight of crepuscular butterflies
The Romagna tradition of farmhouses with large threshing floors and the rediscovery of forgotten fruits
Discovering flora and fauna in Cervia salt pan
Wellness in the green of the centuries-old pine forest
Wellness in contact with nature in Tagliata
Guided tours of the old artisanal saltwork
Walks between the beach and the pine forest in Tagliata
Discovering treasures and curiosities of Cervia saltpan
A special bicycle excursion to visit the excavations of Cervia Vecchia
Exclusive event to see the live show of the first flight of the one day old butterflies
Discovering the Salt Pan of Cervia by bike
concluding with a sweet and savoury brunch
Under the starry sky in Cervia saltpan together with an astrophysicist expert
A walk at the Camillone Saltpan dedicated to the history and secrets of Cervia's sweet salt
On 13 January 2021 the Po Delta Park was awarded the European Card of Sustainable Tourism
An international recognition issued by Europarc
to territories committed to sustainable tourism
See more
Before departure
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