The Po Delta between Memory and Future - Four Centuries Later the River Po Cut-Off


Introduction The Colonization of the Lower Po Plain The Po Delta before the Cut-Off Venice, the Delta, and the Adriatic Sea The Great Reclamation Project by the House of Este First Projects for the Porto Viro Cut-Off The Cut-Off The Development of the New Lands New Delta, New Conflicts The Landscape of the Delta between the 19th and 20th Century Land Reclamation and Large Landed Estates After World War II The Parks of the Po Delta Education through Workshops Window on the Territory The Architecture of the Lower Polesine Rice Cultivation in the Delta The Salt Pans: Environment and Work The Territory of Emilia-Romagna	Venice, the Delta, and the Adriatic Sea Venice and Ferrara struggled more than once for the control of Polesine: in the 14th century, in 1404, and between 1482 and 1484 the so-called "salt war" was fought. Venice and Ferrara fought again for Polesine between 1509 and 1512. After this war, Venice extended its rule over the territory of Adria and almost in the whole area of Po delle Fornaci, while Ferrara continued to control only a part of Ariano Island. Serenissima had been exercising for centuries an exclusive jurisdiction in the Adriatic Sea, forbidding the access to non-authorized foreign war and merchant ships and forcing them to pay duty. For this reason, the Adriatic Sea was called Gulf of Venice.	Palazzo Ducale in Ferrara, from Usi e costumi di tutti i popoli dell'universo, Milan 1859. Rovigo, Accademia dei Concordi
Fossa di Polesella and support, 18th century. Rovigo, Accademia dei Concordi	Polesella Battle During the war called "Lega di Cambrai War" between 1509 and 1512, Venice fought against the Papacy, the Empire, the French, and Ferrara. The war was characterized by ups and downs, since Venice lost the war first but later reconquered its terra firma territories. During this conflict, on 22nd December 1509 Polesella Battle took place along the river Po. In the same year, the Venetian army occupied Argenta and plundered Comacchio.	16th century German-style sallet. Badia Polesine, Municipal Museum "A.E. Baruffaldi", Photographic archive Ship rostra taken by Ferraresi from the Venetians during Polesella Battle. Ferrara, Ancient Art Municipal Museums
GLISENTI ANTONIO, Stretch of the Delta between Po di Goro and Adige, 1587. Venice, State Archive	A Fence Marking the Border After the 16th century wars, Venice controlled in the Delta the right side of Po delle Fornaci, where the town Porto Viro was. Ferrara recognized Porto Viro as part of the Venetian rule. Beyond the dunes, the border ran towards Sacca di Goro, which remained in the territory of Ferrara, while Venetians ruled over the area between Po di Tramontana and Po di Scirocco. The border consisted of a wooden fence built by Pendasi from Ferrara, who owned large estates in the Delta. This fence, leaving from Porto Viro and reaching the sea, represented the borderline between the two states.	OTTAVIO FABBRI - GEROLAMO PONTARA, Po Delta, 1592. Venice, State Archive (the north on the right)
GIOVANNI BATTISTA ALEOTTI, Chorography of the State of Ferrara, printing, 1603. Ferrara, Biblioteca Comunale Ariostea	FERRARIO, Costume antico e moderno di tutti i popoli, 19th century. Rovigo, Accademia dei Concordi Doge parade from PIETRO BERTELLI, Diversarum Nationum Habitus, Padova 1594. Rovigo, Accademia dei Concordi	MATTEO FIANINI, Map of Ferrara with Aldobrandini coat of arms, printing, 1598. Ferrara, Biblioteca Comunale Ariostea Po mouths before Porto Viro cut-off, drawing. Ferrara, Biblioteca Comunale Ariostea (the north on the right)

Leader+ Community Initiative Measure 2.1 Action 2.1a) "Interterritorial Cooperation"
Project: "Historical-Cultural Heritage Enhancement and Tourist Promotion of the Po Delta Territory"
Action A: Po Delta "Heritage Promotion"