Pilastri
Welcome to Pilastri: let's discover this Ferrara village together
Let's discover Pilastri together, a village located at the north-western tip of the province of Ferrara. This fraction of Bondeno is the second most populous and extensive (surpassed only by Scortichino). Pilastri is located on the border with the Lombardy region and the provinces of Modena and Mantua.
History of Pilastri
A village that has always played an important role as a border point: during the Renaissance between the Este lands and the Duchy of Gonzaga and then, until the Unification of Italy, between Lombardy-Venetia and the Papal State. Near the village, you can still see the marble boundary stones that marked the border, fixed in 1757 with the Treaty of Melara.
Physical Geography of Pilastri
Pilastri is located 14 km from the municipal capital of Bondeno and can be reached via the S.P. 69 "Virgiliana (formerly SS496)." Its location makes it a very interesting village, as it is located at the crossroads of three provinces.
Monuments and places of interest
Pilastri offers many opportunities to visit monuments and places of interest.
Religious architecture
The Church of San Matteo Apostolo in Bondeno, built in 1580 by Agostino Mosti, is definitely a must-see. In addition to being a place of worship, it is also an example of interesting architecture. It was destroyed and then rebuilt twice, following the Po River floods, in 1705 and 1839.
Civil architectures
The Mosti Palace, a noble house built during the second half of the 16th century by the Este Mosti family, is certainly another point of interest to visit. It is said to incorporate a pre-existing hunting tower similar to those distributed in the same period between Ferrara and the border of the duchy.
The Strada dell'Argine del Campo is a path of ancient origin, consolidated already in the medieval period. It runs on the top of the inner embankment of the ancient Arcole Valleys and it is possible to observe many sites of human settlements from the Bronze and Iron Age. It is also possible to see the remains of the border pillars between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Papal State, many open rural courts and worker houses from the 19th and 20th century.
Finally, Crich, located in the countryside southeast of the territory almost on the border with Burana and Gavello, offers an important historical testimony. It is said to have been an ancient docking and overnight stay for navigators who traveled the waterways from Nonantola to Ferrara.
Earthquakes of 2011 and 2012
Unfortunately, Pilastri and the surrounding countryside were severely damaged by the seismic events of July 2011 and the 2012 Emilia earthquake. However, the village is trying to recover and return to its original beauty, and it is important to visit and support the local economy.
In conclusion, Pilastri is a beautiful village that offers many opportunities to discover the art, culture, and history of the place. A stop definitely not to be missed for anyone interested in a full immersion in the history of Alto Ferrarese.
