Mesola: Castle, Forest, and the History of the Po Delta

Mesola brings together an important historic building, an extensive forest, and a range of routes. The Castello Estense di Mesola was built between 1578 and 1584 and is considered one of the Po Delta’s important historic and cultural buildings. The Gran Bosco della Mesola, also known as Boscone, covers 1,058 hectares and is the largest forest in the Ferrara area. If you are considering Mesola as a destination, you can focus on cultural history, nature, or one of the routes described here.

Forest, Deer, and Wetland

Bosco della Mesola has been a nature reserve since 1977 and is home to an indigenous deer population. Nearby is Taglio della Falce, a 200-hectare wetland on the southern edge of Bosco della Mesola. These two natural features are quite distinct: Boscone is a large forest with a deer population, while Taglio della Falce is a wetland at the edge of the forest. When planning, you can consider which of these landscape features interests you most.

Also nearby, Bosco S. Giustina can be explored on foot or by bicycle along wide paths through the forest. Both the landscape and the type of access described are relevant when choosing between these natural features. The forest, the wetland, and the paths in Bosco S. Giustina should be considered as separate destinations, not as one single area.

Castello Estense and Museum

The Castello Estense di Mesola houses exhibitions on two floors. The first floor contains the permanent exhibition “In lode della Mesola.” The second floor features an exhibition about the forest of Mesola and the Mesola dune deer; the Museo del Bosco e del Cervo della Mesola is also located there. Using cartographic documents, the museum explains how the Mesola area has developed. Visitors can also see copies of herbarium sheets collected by Filippo De Pisis. Another exhibition section documents the traces of the Mesola deer in the history and culture of the Ferrara area. The Mesola Tourist Information Office (I.A.T.) is also located in the castle.

A visit to the castle can therefore bring together different themes: the permanent exhibition about Mesola, the landscapes and deer, and the area’s history as presented through maps and collection-related material. This cultural and historical side of Mesola is a distinct focus alongside the forest and the routes in the surrounding area.

Routes with Different Focuses

A route from the centre of Mesola leads to Castello Estense, Torre Abate, and the nearby Bosco della Fasanara. Torre Abate is a hydraulic structure built around 1580 as part of the “Grande Impresa di Bonifica” project initiated by the Este family. The upper section was rebuilt in 1650. This gives the route another historic landmark in addition to the castle.

The “Pedalando tra la Storia” loop starts at Bosco della Mesola and goes to Castello della Mesola and its museum, as well as to Abbazia di Pomposa, before returning. The approximately 25-kilometre birdwatching route along the Po di Goro has a different focus and starts at the Castello della Mesola visitor centre. These differences can help you choose: the route from the town centre connects named destinations around Mesola, the loop is specifically a cycling tour that returns to its starting point, and the birdwatching route focuses on observing birds. You can plan your visit around the places and themes that interest you most.

If you are looking for a holiday rental in Mesola, it is best to decide what to focus on based on the visits you want to shape your stay: the castle and museum, the forest and deer, or one of the routes with its distinct focus.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Monestirolo, Ca' Matte, Ostellato, Ferrara, Jolanda di Savoia, Voghenza, Porto Garibaldi, Berra.

For the main travel overview: Ferrara.