Page 273 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

EMILIA-ROM A GNA І 271

supports around a third of the Other nature
nation’s population. Although reserves include
ravaged in many places by the Bosco della
industrial pollution, at its finest Mesola, a tract
it offers beautifully subtle of ancient
landscapes – rows of poplar woodland
trees across misty fields and planted by the
vistas over the shifting sands Etruscans and
of its vast delta, an estuary of cared for by
marshes, dunes and islands. generations of
The immense Parco Delta monks. You can
del Po is a national park either walk or
stretching for 600 sq km cycle through it, Piazza del Popolo, Ravenna’s central square
(234 sq miles), all the way to the with excellent
Veneto. Wetland areas such as opportunities for seeing large q Ravenna
the Valli di Comacchio herds of deer. * 160,000. V @ n Via Salara 8/12
north of Ravenna have For a good look at the (0544 357 55/354 04). ( Wed & Sat;
long been nature entire region, follow antiques on 3rd weekend of each
reserves, a winter the S309 – part of month. ∑ turismo.ra.it
home to thousands the old Via Romea
of breeding and pilgrim age trail to Most people visit Ravenna for
migrating birds. Rome – that runs its superb mosaics from the
Ornithologists north to south Byzantine period (see pp54–5),
gather here to see through some 100 km but the town itself is a
gulls, coots, bean (62 miles) of the surprisingly pleasant medley
geese and black park. A number of of old streets, fine shops and
terns, and far rarer smaller lanes branch peaceful piazzas. The Museo
species such as the off into the wilderness. Nazionale has a wide range
white egret, hen harrier There are also boat trips of icons, paintings and
and pygmy cormorant. to some of the delta’s archaeological displays.
Comacchio, the Hen harrier, found more remote corners: The best place to take a break
nearest settlement, in the Po Delta key departure points from sightseeing is Piazza
comprises 13 tiny include the villages of del Popolo, a lovely ensemble
islands connected by bridges. Ca’ Tiepolo, Ca’ Vernier and Taglio of medieval buildings.
It is one of several fishing villages di Po. Most areas also offer the
in the area, and its most famous possibility of hiring bicycles. E Museo Nazionale
catch is eels, often caught using The 125 km (78 mile) ride along Via Fiandrini. Tel 0544 21 56 18.
methods, like water gates, that the right bank of the Po is very Open Tue–Sun. Closed 1 Jan, 1 May,
date back as far as Roman times. popular with cyclists. 25 Dec. & 7

The peaceful landscape along the banks of the river in the Po Delta

270-271_EW_Italy.indd 271 4/4/17 5:35 PM