The Castle and the Forest of Mesola
If you are organizing a trip to discover the natural and historical beauties of our territory, you absolutely must stop at the Gran Bosco della Mesola and its Castle, the last of the Estense Delights (a UNESCO heritage site since 1999).
Here, in an atmosphere that seems to come from a bygone era full of legends, you can encounter deer, fallow deer, and the many animals that inhabit the forest.
The entire wooded area was purchased in the 15th century by the Estensi, who decided to transform it into a rich hunting reserve. The idea of the lords of Ferrara was to build a new Delizia that would simultaneously have an important defensive role against the powerful Republic of Venice and all the features to ensure moments of leisure for the entire court.
Duke Alfonso II, promoter of the sumptuous construction, wanted to be remembered for a work that could compete with the oldest Estense Castle in Ferrara. For this reason, he hired the best architects and engineers of the time, managing in just 5 years to build the beautiful Castle and a wall that is over nine miles long.
The structure today appears intact in all its splendor and hosts events, conferences, and various types of exhibitions. In the internal rooms, you can admire evocative testimonies of its past, such as: frescoes and original decorations, a family tree, and the heraldic coat of arms of the Estensi, maps that reproduce the history of the estate. On the upper floors, you will also find a path that delves into the history and cultures of the Po Delta and the Museum of the Forest and the Deer of Mesola.
And after studying the history of the Dune Deer (or Mesola) there is nothing better than going to look for this magnificent animal, unique in Italy, within the Nature Reserve. The forest can be explored on foot, by bicycle, or with a very original electric train, which allows access to areas that are usually inaccessible.
Plan a visit during the upcoming holidays, you will be fascinated by these places!​
Here, in an atmosphere that seems to come from a bygone era full of legends, you can encounter deer, fallow deer, and the many animals that inhabit the forest.
The entire wooded area was purchased in the 15th century by the Estensi, who decided to transform it into a rich hunting reserve. The idea of the lords of Ferrara was to build a new Delizia that would simultaneously have an important defensive role against the powerful Republic of Venice and all the features to ensure moments of leisure for the entire court.
Duke Alfonso II, promoter of the sumptuous construction, wanted to be remembered for a work that could compete with the oldest Estense Castle in Ferrara. For this reason, he hired the best architects and engineers of the time, managing in just 5 years to build the beautiful Castle and a wall that is over nine miles long.
The structure today appears intact in all its splendor and hosts events, conferences, and various types of exhibitions. In the internal rooms, you can admire evocative testimonies of its past, such as: frescoes and original decorations, a family tree, and the heraldic coat of arms of the Estensi, maps that reproduce the history of the estate. On the upper floors, you will also find a path that delves into the history and cultures of the Po Delta and the Museum of the Forest and the Deer of Mesola.
And after studying the history of the Dune Deer (or Mesola) there is nothing better than going to look for this magnificent animal, unique in Italy, within the Nature Reserve. The forest can be explored on foot, by bicycle, or with a very original electric train, which allows access to areas that are usually inaccessible.
Plan a visit during the upcoming holidays, you will be fascinated by these places!​