Poggio Renatico – Castle, Towers and Regional Cuisine

Poggio Renatico combines the landscape of the Ferrara plain with an unusually rich history centred around a castle, towers and churches. The town lies near the Reno River and is traditionally regarded as the border between Bologna and Ferrara. Anyone planning a trip to Emilia-Romagna can combine historical discoveries, regional cuisine and travel by regional train here.

Historical Traces Between the Castle and Towers

Castello Lambertini is an important starting point for exploring the town’s history. The castle has medieval origins and was built by the Bolognese Guastavillani family. In 1475, Egano Lambertini had the Castello rebuilt. Wall decorations from the 18th century have been preserved in the piano nobile. The building therefore offers several historical layers that can be connected when exploring its history.

Another prominent historical building is the Torre dell'Orologio. It contains an antique mechanical clock mechanism with gears. The Torre del Poggio, also known as the Torre dell'Ortolano or Torre Fornasini, dates from the 13th century. It served the Lambertini family as a watchtower for observing enemies. Ancient watchtowers are still scattered throughout the Poggio Renatico area, so its historical character is not limited to a single building.

The Abbazia di San Michele is also part of the town’s history. Its foundation stone was laid on 1 June 1902. The streets of Poggio Renatico provide the opportunity to take a historical walking tour of the local sights. These include the castle, towers, churches and villas. This way of exploring can be interesting for families, as it allows individual buildings and local history to be combined at your own pace, without limiting the stay to a single attraction.

Sightseeing, Festivals and Regional Specialities

In 2026, guided tours of Castello Lambertini resumed; at that time, the castle was once again fully usable. The tours explain the development of the Castello from its medieval origins through the changes over the centuries. The tour includes restored rooms, valuable frescoes and the antique cellars, which are fully open to visitors. If you are particularly interested in architectural history and interiors, this type of visit is a natural complement to a tour through the town.

The events calendar also draws on local history and tradition. The Fiera di San Michele is dedicated to Poggio Renatico’s patron saint, the Archangel Michael; it is listed for 29 September. The Antica Fiera di Merci e Bestiame is listed for June in Poggio Renatico.

The culinary side includes the Sagra del cappellaccio. The focus is on handmade caplaz, regarded as an expression of local cuisine and the tradition of the IGP-protected Ferrara pumpkin cappellacci. Anyone who values regional discoveries and independent daily planning when choosing a holiday apartment will find in this speciality a specific reason to get to know the local cuisine more closely.

Travelling by Train and Bicycle

Poggio Renatico has a regional train stop on the Bologna–Padua railway line. This may play a role when choosing accommodation if you would like to include travel by train in your plans. For active days, there is also the cycling route “Il percorso delle torri”, which begins at Poggio Renatico railway station. The name refers to the area’s historic tower heritage and makes the route a suitable option for visitors who would like to explore the town on two wheels.

This makes it possible to combine different travel ideas: a historical walking tour through the streets, a guided visit to Castello Lambertini, a regional speciality or a cycling excursion. A holiday apartment in Poggio Renatico can serve as an independent base for exploring the town. Which location suits you depends above all on whether you place greater emphasis on culture, culinary impressions, rail travel or cycling tours.

More Places for Planning Your Trip

If you would like to compare other destinations in addition to Poggio Renatico, here are some more places: Vigarano Mainarda, Serravalle, Mesola, Goro, San Giuseppe, Fortezza, Lido Delle Nazioni and Francolino.

For the higher-level travel overview: Ferrara.