The old town is wonderfully preserved with its long porticos typical of the Po Valley. It preserves important monuments and art treasures. Cento is the hometown of Francesco Barbieri the “Guercino”, the famous painter, whose works can be admired in local churches and museums. Cento has also become internationally famous for its historical and spectacular Carnival, twinned with Rio de Janeiro, that attracts tourists from around the world. A 5-minute drive away is the town of Pieve di Cento. The charming old town follows the Roman castrum and preserves interesting monuments: its theater, the palaces, churches, museums and the beautiful oratory of the Holy Trinity.
Codigoro is a nice agricultural centre in the plain of Ferrara, along the shores of the Po River and its canals. In Codigoro surroundings, there is a wonderful Romanesque masterpiece: the Pomposa Abbey. The church was founded in the 6th century A.D. and it became a Benedictine monastery during the XI century. Among its guests, we mention Guido d’Arezzo, inventor of the modern musical notation. Medieval frescos are splendid, and amazing is also the mosaic floor. A visit you cannot miss.
Comacchio, the "little Venice", is an enchanting lagoon town: it is now known as the capital of the Po Delta National Park, is a little town that was born and still lives between the land and the water.
The best views in town are from the Ponte degli Sbirri: on one side the historic Ospedale degli Infermi and on the other the 19th century Palazzo Bellini and the famous Trepponti, the symbol of Comacchio. From the Loggiato dei Cappuccini, which leads to the church of Santa Maria in Aula Regia, you can access the historic Manifattura dei Marinati, the pickling works, completely restored into full working order; visit the “Sala dei fuochi” with its 12 fireplaces, where the eels are roasted on spits before being marinated. The graceful 17th century Fish Market attests to more seaborne activity, and it still sells the daily catch. Important historic buildings also include the ancient Cathedral of San Cassiano, the Loggia del Grano, and the Clock Tower. This town on the water can also be visited by boat, more specifically with the traditional “batane”. For lovers of archaeology, the rare and extensive finds from a ship that ran aground not far from the town in the time of Augustus Caesar are housed at the Roman Ship Museum in Palazzo Bellini.
Many trips by motorboat are available to feel the atmosphere of the lagoon with its 'casoni' (fishing huts) and 'tabarre' (stores/workshops), the fishing equipment, and marvelous vegetation. The Delta of the Po River Regional Park is worldwide famous for bird watching activity.