Filo
Filò: a hamlet between Ferrara and Ravenna
Filò is a tiny hamlet located on the border of the provinces of Ferrara and Ravenna, a few kilometers away from the municipalities of Argenta and Alfonsine. With a population of only 2059 inhabitants, the territory is predominantly swampy, and its ancient name derives from "Rivera Fili", the strip of land adjacent to the course of the Primaro river.
Physical geography
The territory of Filò covers a total area of 64.65 km². Many stretches are below sea level or at a minimal elevation. Most of the territory is included in the municipality of Argenta, with a portion that also extends into the municipality of Alfonsine.
History
The mouth of the Primaro river, one of the southern branches of the Po, represented an important river communication route between Lombardy and the sea during the Late Middle Ages. The salt trade took place through this canal, and Filò became a fundamental reference point, so much so that it housed an important hospital of the same period, intended to welcome travelers and pilgrims.
Over time, the river underwent modifications due to structural interventions, and the hamlet of Filò found itself about 2 km away from the river. Nevertheless, the ancient course of the Primaro continued to mark the boundary between Ferrara and Ravenna.
During World War II, Filò suffered numerous reprisals by the Germans, including the episode of September 8, 1944, when a group of men from Argenta was killed.
Monuments and places of interest
One of the places of interest in the hamlet is represented by the parish church dedicated to Saint Agatha, whose construction dates back to 1931 but remained partly unfinished until 1934. The building was designed by the Bolognese engineer Francesco Gualandi and stands on the site of a previous church built between 1525 and 1578.
Conclusions
Filò can be considered a small hamlet with ancient origins. Despite its small size, it has had an important history, mainly linked to the course of the Primaro river and salt trade during the Middle Ages. Today, the hamlet represents an interesting destination for those who want to discover the historical and naturalistic beauties of the Ferrara territory.
