Poggio Renatico

Welcome to Poggio Renatico: the history and geography of the city

Hello everyone! Today I want to talk to you about Poggio Renatico, a beautiful town in the province of Ferrara in Emilia-Romagna. Poggio Renatico has a population of about 9,670 and is famous for its Italian Air Force base.

In this little guide, I will share with you some curiosities about the geography and history of Poggio Renatico.

The physical geography of Poggio Renatico

Poggio Renatico is located in the Ferrara plain and has a typical temperate climate, like most cities in the Po Valley area. According to the climatic classification, the city belongs to zone E, while from a seismic point of view it is in zone 3.

Poggio Renatico: history and geography of an Emilian town.

The origin of the name

The name "Poggio" comes from the Latin "podium" which means small hill. The second term "Renatico" is a bit more controversial. Generally, it is believed to derive from "reunatico" which refers to a mound surrounded by water. However, some argue that the name has to do with the nearby river Reno.

The history of Poggio Renatico

The exact origin of Poggio Renatico is not known, but it is known that the town was first mentioned as "Podio" or "Podio Rognatico" in medieval times. However, some archaeological finds indicate that the settlement dates back to Roman times.

One of the most influential families in Poggio Renatico were the Lambertini. The family dominated Poggio Renatico for centuries, culminating in the appointment of Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini as Pope Benedict XIV. After the extinction of the male branch of the family, the town passed under the Papal State.

After the unification of Italy, the town began to develop economically with the opening of the Bologna-Ferrara railway.

Finally, in 2012, Poggio Renatico was struck by the earthquake in Emilia, which had repercussions throughout the region.

Conclusion

I hope this brief guide has helped you discover more about Poggio Renatico and has intrigued you to visit this beautiful city. Thank you for reading and see you next time!

Luca Bianchi
Wrote by Luca Bianchi
Updated Monday, Sep 12, 2022