Dunes of Massenzatica
Mesola (FE)
Located in the inland area of Ferrara between the Po di Volano and the Po di Goro, the Massenzatica Fossil Dunes Oriented Nature Reserve protects a unique sequence of fossil dunes in the regional landscape that testifies to the position of an Adriatic coastline dating back to the Bronze Age, about 3000 years ago.
The gentle undulations of the terrain, covered by low grasslands, alternate with depressions covered by shrubs, and patches of woodland rise only a few meters above the flat countryside, but contrast sharply with the surrounding vast cultivated plain, a landscape vividly modified by human activity that has reclaimed the large marshy areas of the past.
The main creator of the dunes is the strong marine wind which, lifting and depositing the sand at the end of the beaches, favors the accumulation of the characteristic dune ridges. Once incorporated into the subsoil and no longer fed by coastal sand, a dune becomes fossilized and gradually tends to be dismantled by the same agent that created it, especially in areas without vegetation.
The dunes are of great importance because they are a testimony to an important stage of the Po Delta, which over the millennia has seen the slow advance of emerging lands at the expense of the sea. The elevated area of the dunes was also the site of the first local human settlements, as evidenced by archaeological finds.
Today the Adriatic Sea is several kilometers away and the dunes rise along a front of one and a half kilometers and an average width of four hundred meters, in a direction almost parallel to the current coastline.
The area preserves a generous biodiversity and serves as a shelter for various species, such as typical herbaceous plants called psammophytes that grow on these substrates, creating habitats favored by some reptiles and many invertebrates subject to research: beetles, hymenoptera, and lepidoptera, which in turn are a source of food for migratory birds such as the hoopoe and the bee-eater, linked to these now very rare environments.
VISITING HOURS AND PROCEDURES:
The Visitor Centre is open from 1 March to 30 June and from 1 September to 31 October on Saturdays and Sundays and on public holidays from 9.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. The area is fenced off and accessible to the public only by guided tours along pre-established routes, but it is possible to walk individually along a path that allows you to walk around the dunes and admire them from the outside.
FOR INFO AND BOOKINGS:
Occasionally, guided tours are organised for groups with educational routes, and the picturesque place also offers routes equipped for the visually impaired.
Need more information?
Request informations for "Dunes of Massenzatica"
Fiume di Mezzo
The Middle River presents itself as a new opportunity to explore the surrounding area. It becomes the guiding thread of a series of itineraries that combine river navigation with bike paths, promoting slow mobility and offering an innovative and sustainable product. Along these routes, you will have the opportunity to discover numerous cultural, historical and naturalistic excellences, thus creating a unique and unforgettable experience with Aqualab.
Torre Abate
Torre Abate Oasi Naturale, a stone's throw from the sea and the Mesola Woods, is located in one of the most beautiful stations of the Po Delta Park and holds within it a true treasure: Torre Abate, a 16th-century monument and symbol of the great Este land reclamation.
Agenzia di Viaggi
We plan and organize tourist and educational tours to exclusive and unique places in the Po Delta. Our goal is to ensure a memorable experience, adapting to the profile, inclinations and desires of each visitor. We offer a range of services including escorting, bicycle rental, and motorboat excursions.
English 
Italian 
