Valli
The Comacchio Valleys: a protected wetland area
Hello friends! Today I want to tell you about the Comacchio Valleys, a beautiful protected wetland area located in Emilia-Romagna, between the provinces of Ravenna and Ferrara. This area consists of four valleys: Lido di Magnavacca, Fossa di Porto, Campo (Comacchio) and Fattibello, as well as the smaller Bertuzzi Valley, located to the north and separated by a strip of land. The Comacchio Valleys are one of Italy's most extensive wetland areas and are considered one of the most important stopover, rest, and wintering areas for migratory birds.
History of the Comacchio Valleys
Have you ever wondered how the Comacchio Valleys were formed? Well, they were created around the 10th century due to land subsidence and the marshland of the coastal area at the border between Emilia and Romagna. Initially, the valleys were filled with freshwater from recurring flooding and overflowing of nearby rivers. Later, starting from the 16th century, the area was progressively infiltrated by seawater from the Adriatic, transforming this area into salt marshes that remain to this day.
The gradual lowering of the Reno River, combined with a series of uncontrolled floods and the earthquake of 1570, shifted the main course of the Po River northward, reducing the water flow of the Po di Volano and the Po di Primaro and preventing the progressive burial of the present Comacchio Valleys.
The San Giorgio Consortium
The Ferrara historical delta area was placed under the control and operation of the "San Giorgio Consortium" from December 22, 1605, a public body that gradually reclaimed its territory. Through subsequent drainage and intervention agreements, the subject subdivision was extended to about 120,000 hectares between the Po di Volano River to the north, the Adriatic Sea to the east, the Reno and Po di Primaro rivers to the south, and the Po River to the west. However, the lands that formed a single large depression in the area of Polesine di San Giorgio (now a hamlet called "Marrara") were not easily drained. A more effective hydraulic management for these areas would arrive later by channeling the effluent waters from the higher lands into the bed of the large hydraulic reclamation lines that crossed the area up to the final outlet constituted by the Comacchio marshes.
Flora and fauna
Today, the Comacchio Valleys represent one of the most important sites of natural interest in our country, so much so that they are included among the protected areas of Emilia-Romagna, testifying to the importance of this area for the entire territory. The valleys are teeming with animal and plant species, some of which are very rare and protected, such as the tarabuso, a species of frog found only in the area of the Po Delta. Furthermore, the presence of numerous migratory bird species makes the Comacchio Valleys an important wintering and breeding area.
How to visit the Comacchio Valleys
If you want to visit the Comacchio Valleys, there are various solutions available. First of all, there are guided tours that will allow you to discover the nature and history of this area. You can also rent boats and sail along the canals of the valleys, admiring the beauty of the landscape from the water. Another way to visit this place is on foot or by bike, along the paths and roads along the valleys. Finally, you can participate in activities organized by the Regional Park of the Po Delta, such as walking, cycling, or boat excursions, tastings of local products, and much more.
Conclusions
The Comacchio Valleys are a unique and extraordinary place, one of the few remaining coastal ecosystems in Europe where humans and nature live in harmony. Thanks to their numerous flora and fauna species, the Comacchio Valleys represent an important resource and natural heritage to preserve and protect for future generations. Don't hesitate to visit it, you will be fascinated!
