Comacchio

A town on the water, Comacchio is a precious jewel softly set in the warm red of the bricks and the sparkling green of the canals. Of mediaeval origin, it retained until 1821 the character of a floating town unconnected to land. After the Estense era it became part of the Papal States, and in the 17th century they contributed to its urban rebirth with buildings, churches, and bridges including the famous Trepponti. Even today its aspect is outlined by water, a network of canals which supplant the roads, bridges connecting quarters, and terraces of houses that conceal their androni, the long corridors that lead to their interior courtyards.

Around in Comacchio
The splendid cultural town of Comacchio is only 7 kilometres from the beaches and the ease of getting there makes it an absolutely unmissable destination. From the steps of the Trepponti that welcome the visitor, enter Comacchio and walk alongside the fish market, breathing in the atmosphere of this place where the perfumed air of the the sea and its people has forever been dedicated to fishing and to the production of salt. From via della Pescheria turn left onto via Fogli and walk along the Canale Maggiore, where little boats called “batàne” carry tourists while the boatmen tell local stories. At the end, before the clock tower, turn left on via Ugo Bassi, walking alongside the Loggia del Grano, and you will get to that ancient foundation the Cattedrale di San Cassiano, with its bell tower.

From the Cathedral carry straight on Corso Giuseppe Mazzini, and going along the scenic Loggiato dei Cappuccini you will come first to the Manifattura dei Marinati, and then the Santuario di Santa Maria in Aula Regia. The Manifattura is important if you want to understand the profound links between the Comacchiesi and the product of their waters. It is an experience that lets you see their everyday life, which was lived beside these stoves and amid the voices of the women who perfected the marinade measuring out vinegar, water, salt and bay leaves.

At the end of the Loggiato is the sanctuary dedicated to the Madonna del Popolo, where there is a statue of the Madonna that arrived mysteriously from the sea. To complete the trip you should turn back towards the historic centre, turning right onto via Buonafede as far as the Ponte di San Pietro, where you cross to get to via Agatopisto.

Here stop a moment to admire the Antico Ospedale degli Infermi, the Ponte degli Sbirri,in front of Palazzo Bellini, a noble home from the 19th century and the Museo del Carico della Nave Romana (The Roman Ship Museum) which will introduce you to the archaeology of the area, as well as reminding us that this was the land of the legendary Greco-Etruscan town of Spina.