A 22 miles path along the Lamone river, a water way to be traveled slowly discovering the beauties of a unique territory: the lush plain, the reclaimed valleys, the brackish lagoons, the centuries-old San Vitale pine forest, the flooded forest of Punte Alberete – populated by important species of aquatic avifauna – until you reach the suggestive coastal dunes of the river mouth. An open air museum enriched by interesting historical and cultural sites such as San Giacomo Palace in Russi and the Eco-museum of Marsh Civilization in Villanova di Bagnacavallo. A tribute to the territory and an invitation to discover the richness that lies in it. A wonderful journey between past and present immersed in a unique environment between history, culture and nature.
Are you ready to start the route?
EXPERIENCE
When: all year round
How: by bicycle, on foot, running
Why: to discover a special corner of Italy to be savoured with the eyes and appreciated with the turn of every wheel
ITINERARIES
1. Muraglione waterfalls
System of waterfalls, remains of river barrage powering an ancient 19th century mill.
2. San Giacomo Palace
Imposing and beautiful holiday manor, built by the Rasponi family at the end of the 17th century.
3. Russi Roman Villa
Archaeological complex (I – II cent. A.D.), among the most important and best preserved of northern Italy.
4. Russi old castle
Built to defend the territory in 1371, now houses the Civic Museum and the art collection of the city.
5. Traversara tower
Elegant building in a green countryside, was the holiday residence of the Hercolani Counts of Bagnacavallo.
6. The Cagnazza
The building, whose popular name is due to a dog shaped statue, put there as a guardian.
7. Ecological Rebalancing Area Podere Pantaleone
A peculiar “Natura 2000″ Network site, naturally originated from an old abandoned farmland.
8. Canadian War Cemetery
Built in 1944 by the Government of Canada, houses Canadian soldiers dead during World War Two.
9. Ecomuseum of Marshland Civilization
Fascinating museum which testimonies the ancient civilization and the original use of marshy herbs.
10. Villa Savoia
Manor house, built between the 17th and 18th century, with an elegant baroque decorated oratory.
11. Savarna Towers
Halfway between a castle and a manor house, they were built up in the 16th century by the Rasponi as a refuge for the hordes of bandit raiding the countryside.
12. Ethnographic Collection of Rural Crafts
Segurini House hosts a charming collection of tools, which testifies some aspects of rural civilization, now disappeared.
13. Mezzano former sugar factory
Active until 1988, today it’s a nice example of industrial archaeology, with a large nave building and a huge furnace.
14. Former sugar factory’s Basins
Interesting natural marsh ecosystem evolved by the abandoned former decantation tanks of beet scrubbing water.
15. Town of Sant’Alberto
Surrounded by the beautiful landscapes of the Po Delta Regional Park, it houses the Park Visitor Centre.
16. The “Palazzone”
Imposing building built up in the 16th century as a military garrison and then tuned into a restoring place for pilgrims.
17. Natural Science Museum “Alfredo Brandolini”
It houses the Visitor Centre of the Po Delta Park and an ornithological collection donated by the naturalist Alfredo Brandolini.
18. Punte Alberete oasis
Outstanding flooded forest, visitable an equipped pedestrian path.
19. Mandriole lagoon
Fascinating marshy ecosystem, call for various species of birds that come here to feed and nest.
20. San Vitale pine forest
Lush historical pine forest, deeply connected to cultural values and local tradition.
21. Baiona brackish lagoon
Vast brackish lagoon connected to the sea, important feeding ground for thousands of birds of passage.
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