Comacchio Lagoons
The Comacchio Lagoons are a vast complex of brackish lagoons between land and sea, one of the most evocative natural environments in the Po Delta Park. Once dedicated to fishing and salt production, today they represent a unique ecosystem, where fresh and salt water meet, creating ideal habitats for birdlife and numerous fish species, including the mysterious eels. Crossing them by bike, along the numerous cycle paths and nature trails, allows you to immerse yourself fully in the tranquility of the landscape and slowly discover the deep history of the relationship between man and nature, between tradition and sustainability.
Comacchio Lagoons
First Step: Fattibello Lagoon
Once you cross Ponte san Pietro, you enter the Fattibello Lagoon, where tradition meets the poetry of the landscape. It is said that once upon a time, there was a barber's hut on the embankment: here, the lagoon workers would stop to “make themselves look good” before returning to their wives after long weeks of work in the Comacchio lagoons. Today, that same lagoon, lined with “bilancioni”, reflects the sky like a mirror and offers a suspended atmosphere, between tranquility and wonder
Second Step: Stazione Foce
Stazione Pesca Foce is the gateway to the Comacchio Lagoons. The area has a tower and a typical restaurant. Before embarking on excursions into the heart of the lagoon, you can visit the Open Air section of the Delta Antico Museum, where two Etruscan houses from the ancient city of Spina have been reconstructed. The route continues through elegant colonies of pink flamingos and restored fishing huts, evidence of lagoon life and fishing culture.
Third Step: Casone Donnabona
An ancient guard station connected to the mainland by a wooden bridge. This hut was home to the lagoon guards who were tasked with protecting the nearby waters from frequent fish theft by poachers. Its distinctive name derives from popular folklore: it is said that some women would go to the hut to entertain the guards during their long working days. The hut is open to the public on weekends from March to October.
Fourth Step: Penisola di Boscoforte
Penisola di Boscoforte is one of the most fascinating and wild areas of the Comacchio Lagoons.
This long strip of land stretches out into the lagoons, home not only to a rich variety of birdlife, but also to Delta-Camargue horses, which live here in the wild. Accessible exclusively through guided tours, the peninsula is a veritable treasure trove of biodiversity.
Fifth Step: Argine degli Angeli
The name derives from Dosso degli Angeli, an ancient sandbank now submerged in the Comacchio Lagoons, located between Valle Lido di Magnavacca and Valle Furlana. This narrow strip of land crosses a landscape suspended over the water, where flocks of white birds accompany visitors along the route.
Sixth Step: Le Vene di Bellocchio
This wetland area, characterized by brackish waters and salt marshes, is a true paradise for aquatic birdlife, including the majestic pink flamingos. It is one of the most vital and dynamic ecosystems in the Po Delta, a borderland where the sea meets the inland lagoons.
Seventh Step: Salina di Comacchio
The Comacchio Salt Pans are a veritable treasure trove of biodiversity, where water and sky meet to create a unique ecosystem, a privileged refuge for numerous species of birds, including the striking pink flamingos. This exceptionally delicate environment can only be visited with authorized guides, to ensure the protection of its natural balance and offer visitors the opportunity to explore it with respect.
Eigtht Step: Porto Garibaldi
Porto Garibaldi, founded as an ancient fishing village and the first seaside resort on the coast, retains the genuine charm of its origins. Along the canal port, where fishing boats laden with fresh fish still dock today, you can feel the authentic vitality of a seaside village that continues to live in harmony with the sea.
Nineth Step: Comacchio
Comacchio, a city of water, charms visitors with its bridges and colorful houses reflected in the canals of the historic center.
Don't miss a visit to the Delta Antico Museum, which tells the thousand-year history of the area. The Manifattura dei Marinati completes the story, revealing a cultural heritage deeply intertwined with the natural landscape.
