Comacchio, certainly the most original and fascinating historical center of the Po Delta, is a place of ancient origins: heir to the Etruscan city of Spina, inhabited by the Romans, dominated by the Estense family and then by the Papal State, Comacchio has come to this day with all the charm of the lagoon town.
It is situated on 13 little islands, surrounded by small canals and connected by monumental bridges. Its pastel-painted houses make the city center colorful and picturesque.
Our visit begins with the scenic Trepponti Bridge, gateway and symbol of the city that combines three different alleys through three beautiful staircases. This bridge gives us the chance to see the maze of narrow streets and mirrors of water that we will then explore with a pleasant walk.
Crossing the Sbirri Bridge, so called after the guards of the former prison that overlooks it, we will see the Ancient Hospital of the Sick, a majestic neoclassical building that now houses the interesting Ancient Delta Museum. The visit to the Museum will let us know the history of these places through archaeological finds: in here, we have the whole cargo, from the amphorae to the leather sandals of the passengers, off a Roman boat that in the first century BC shipwrecked in these valleys!
A visit to Comacchio would not be complete without mentioning the tradition of eel fishing, for centuries the main activity of Comacchio people. We will visit the Manifattura dei Marinati (pickling factory), ancient manufacture for marinating eels: in the establishment, you can follow the different stages of fish processing according to the ancient recipe, but also visit the interesting museum with photos and vintage movies.
To enjoy even more the atmosphere of the lagoon town, we suggest, once the guided tour ends, an excursion along the canals of the city center in a "batana", the traditional downstream boat.