de
it
The Po Delta in the Province of Ravenna
The Ravenna part of the Park boarders the famous Marshes of Comacchio, separated from the park by the Reno River; it boasts some of the most prestigious and fascinating areas such as the Boscoforte and Punte Alberete natural oases, the quiet Marshes of the Po Delta, where vegetation and rare species of fauna grow, and also the age-old pinewoods of San Vitale, Classe and Cervia, as well as the ancient salt-works.
Recognizing the value of this area is the main goal at the NatuRa Museum in Sant’Alberto which organizes events dedicated to the Park in every season, as well as guided visits, and excursions up to the Boscoforte Oasis with the TaraBUSino, a silent, electric, ecological little bus. Info: el. 0544. 528710 - NatuRa Museum.
A true natural paradise, the Boscoforte Oasis is located along a stretch of dunes from the Etruscan age which divide the Fossa di Porto Valley from the Lido di Magnavacca Valley. The peninsula extends outward from the banks of the Reno River, near S. Alberto, for about 6 km. Wild rabbits and horses are numerous and among the particular examples of fauna there are Coots, Shovelers, Gadwall ducks, Shelducks, Pied Stilts, Mediterranean Gulls, and Slender-billed Gulls. The vegetation is particular due to the Opposite Leave Stalwort (Barilla Plant) which is similar to Marine Arugula. One can also find Limonium (Marsh Rosemary), Tamarix, and other plant species.
The Punte Alberete Oasis, one of a kind, includes a flooded forest, very evocative, which alternates with hygrophilous woods, more or less swamped, submerged prairies, “clear” water areas, and flora and fauna typical of marshy environments. The flora is protected and among the reeds there are very rare nests, among which are those of the Eurasian Penduline-Tit, the Eurasian Spoonbill, the Glossy Ibis, the Kingfisher, the Little Egret and of Herons.
You can reach the Oasis by taking the SS Romea 309 from Ravenna towards Venice about 8 km; here there is a sign on the left which has directions to the place, just a few hundred meters away. It is open all year round, and the Oasis can be visited by following an obligatory pedestrian pathway. In front of the Oasis is the entrance to the centuries old San Vitale Pinewoods.
Around the S. Apollinare Basilica in Classe (Unesco patrimony), there are bike paths which go all the way to Lido di Dante and continue along the coast, crossing though the Classe Pinewoods – described by Dante, Boccaccio and D’Annunzio – all the way up to May 1 Park, where one can cook outdoors. During the pedaling, one can pass by the water oases of Ortazzo and Ortazzino, populated with a rich fauna which can often be spotted in flight.
In spring, there are many opportunities to enjoy the age-old pinewoods with traditional festivals using the flavors of the Park – among which is the truffle – and footpaths for everyone, fascinating and exciting, that join food with sport, contact with nature with culture.
The Cervia Salt-Works, originally Etruscan, is the southern entrance and station of the Park. It is an extremely interesting landscape and naturalist environment, so much so that it has been added as Wetland of International Importance at the Ramsar convention. Since 1979, it has been a Natural State Reserve for animals. From a birdwatching and botanical point of view, the saline environment is of extraordinary beauty, populated by rare species such as Flamingoes, Pied Stilts, Avocets and many other protected species.
Here, the flora and fauna are capable of surviving in extreme conditions which cannot be found in other places along the Adriatic, considering the depth of the water, which usually does not get above a few centimeters, and the high concentration of salt (more than 150%).
The Visitors’ Center in Cervia is a point of reference, during the warm weather, for tours guided by experts of the most secret places, such as that of the “sweet” salt production or sections of coast populated by particular life forms, perfectly integrated into a unique ecosystem. Info: tel. 0544. 973040 - Cervia Salt-Works.
For more information see:
Ravenna Tourist Office
