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From the Estensi estates to those of the Borgia
...75 km route
From Ferrara we head west into the countryside, following the provincial road that takes us to Vigarano Pieve. Here we turn south towards Vigarano Mainarda. After taking the right turn, we come to the nearby "delizia" (aristocratic summer residence) so-called Diamantina. To reach Bondeno, it is best to return onto the provincial road because the Canal Bianco country road is rather narrow and rough and not suitable for motor-campers and caravans, even though the canals and nesting herons are very picturesque.
The next town we come to is Stellata sul Po, leaving the large drainage pump of Malcantone on the right. The return trip to Bondeno takes us through extensive orchards and the road then continues on to Mirabello, Sant'Agostino and finally Cento.
Culture and Nature
Within the nine kilometres of Walls that surround Ferrara is the old city centre, part of which represents the ancient Medieval settlement while the rest is a Renaissance 'Addition', the result of Europe's first rational urban development plan.
To better discover the old-city centre, the best departure point is the Cathedral and its nearby Museum in the former church of San Romano, which houses some of the city's oldest historical artefacts, the mighty Estense Castle and, just a few hundred metres away, all those monuments that recall the splendour of the Renaissance: Casa Romei, Palazzina Marfisa, Palazzo Schifanoia, whose profane frescos give an idea of life at the Estense Court. Palazzo dei Diamanti, made of 12 thousand small blocks of pointed marble, is one of the most famous buildings of the Italian Renaissance. Today, it houses the most prestigious Ferrara Art exhibitions and, on the top floor, the National Gallery. Alongside this building is the ancient Palazzo Massari, now home to the Boldini, De Pisis and Eighteenth-century Museum.
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Heading west, out of Ferrara, into the countryside, the first "delizia" we come to is the Diamantina, a beautiful Estense farmstead and then the Rocca Possente in Stellata, an ancient fortress located underneath one of the many man-made banks erected to protect against the devastating floods of the River Po.
This farming district is dotted with towns such as Bondeno, with its Museo delle Acque Interne (Inland Waterways Museum), Vigarano Mainarda, Mirabello and Sant'Agostino, with the Panfilia Wood, a large green area six kilometres long, to be explored by bike or on foot.
Finally, we reach the town of Cento, a busy economic, artistic and cultural centre. Here we find an Art Gallery, churches and historical buildings where the works are kept of the great Cento artist Giovanni Francesco Barbieri known as Guercino – the worthy end to an itinerary that begins in the domains of the Estensi and ends in those of the Borgia.
Food Festivals
Between July and September, in the towns around Cento, food festivals are staged centred on the tortellino, ducks, salami and cotechino. The Salama da sugo food festival takes place in the summer in small towns like Casumaro and Poggio Renatico.
Always at Casumaro, in early August, the Snail Food Festival is staged, while at the end of August at Santa Bianca di Bondeno the delicacy of the day is the frog. The most famous festival of Sant'Agostino is the Truffle Festival, held in September, where the lead role is played by the truffles of the Panfilia Wood. In October comes the Bread Festival, Panaria, staged at Bondeno. For five days in a row, bread and accompanying delicacies (wild boar, snails, sturgeon, duck and chocolate) can be enjoyed.
Markets
Ferrara Monday and Friday
Bondeno Tuesday
Cento Thursday |
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