Forzello Farmhouse: farmhouse holidays on the Po Delta
The Po Delta Park
To convey the infinite variety of landscapes and opportunities for excursions that guests at the Forzello Farmhouse can experience we must first define the area and borders of the Po Delta park. The Po Delta Park is divided into the following: The Po Delta Regional Park of Emilia Romagna, which includes other river areas such as the Reno River, the Southern district of the historical Po delta and a small area of the current delta that is part of Veneto Regional Po Delta Park. The latter encompasses practically all of the geographical Po river delta, with branches from North to South of the Po di Levante, Po di maistra, Po della Pila, Po delle Tolle, Po di Gnocca and Po di Ariano or di Goro.
During the winter months at the Forzello Farmhouse it is not unusual to see grey herons, common snipes, mallard ducks and many other species of bird. The Goro basin is an internationally important reserve and many species of birds spend the winter months there. During the summer it becomes a nesting area for many species, some of which are extremely rare to this particular area, to name just a few, the shelduck, marsh harrier and purple heron all nest among the vast reed beds. This area is home to one of the largest colonies on the delta territory. Common seagulls and herring gulls can been seen all through the year, following the fishing boats, together with grey herons and egrets. The Goro basin is also the daily feeding station for hundreds of cormorants.
As regards the local flora the Po Delta area offers a wide range of plant species for its visitors to see: from the marsh lands, that are home to immense reed beds, to the windswept clumps of reeds that flank the beaches. The inland areas are protected from the sea wind and where the dunes are more permanent the vegetation evolves into woods and pine forests. In the most remote inland areas far from the water logged marsh lands there is a Mediterranean thermophile wood similar to the Mesola Wood, where the main plant species are evergreens such as holm oak, juniper, butcher’s broom and hardy asparagus. In the less exposed areas, where the conditions are fresher and more humid, we find a mesophile wood, with less Mediterranean and more continental characteristics. Here the dominant species are English oak, hornbeam and hawthorn. In the lowland water areas, and in the areas not used for poplar planting, there are small hygrophilous woods with species such as the willow, white poplar and elm.
All these animal and plant species are here waiting to welcome the guests staying at the Forzello Farmhouse: a glance skyward whilst relaxing on the sundeck and guests may catch the birds in flight amongst the trees. The more adventurous guests can birdwatch from one of the many viewing points supplied by the friends of the LIPU, the Society for the protection of birds.
If, on the other hand, you are a fan of boat trips you can jump aboard the one of the local motor boats, the Freccia del Delta or the Freccia del Po di Goro, for journey expoloring the the Po Delta. These leave from Gorino, the last residential area and fishing town along the Po di Goro. You will learn about the area thanks to the experience of the Captains and guides who will acquaint you with the many beauty spots along the way. The boats sail along the Po di Goro passing the old lantern or lighthouse. This once guided sailors and boats along the river and is now a convenient bird watching point. A new lighthouse was built on the Isola dell’amore during the 1950’s. You will also see the Sacca di Goro with its mussel and clam farms, the Po di Volano or Donzella, the Isola dell’Amore, the Isola dei gabbiani and the Gorino lowland valley.
The Forzello Farmhouse is situated within a precious historical setting thanks to the archeological digs that revealed a Roman settlement within the confines of the working Farm, and the presence of the ancient Roman road that once linked Rimini to the other to the other towns in Adria. S. Basilio is home to the Roman baptistery and the Sala Polivalente, a function room that is the site of numerous cultural events. Other nearby towns include Adria, Chioggia, Mesola, Pomposa and Comacchio.
