Discover Serravalle: Nature and History on the Po

Serravalle is located at the Po’s first fork, between the Po and the former course of the Canal Bianco. This location makes the town interesting for travellers who do not wish to view landscape and culture separately: the floodplain, cycle route and ecclesiastical history offer different points of connection when choosing where to stay. If you are looking for a hotel in Serravalle, you can tailor your choice to your own interests and weigh up nature, cycling and culture.

The Po, Canal Bianco and the beginning of the delta

Porta del Delta was established opposite Punta di Santa Maria in the floodplain, growing out of an old settlement of “golenanti”, precisely where the river delta begins. Porta del Delta is an equipped tourist centre.

Isola d'Ariano also broadens the view of the landscape. Isola d'Ariano is an island in the area around Serravalle. For your planning, this creates an environment in which the distinctive features of the river, delta and island open up different ways of exploring the region.

Church history with dates

The history of San Francesco d'Assisi in Serravalle dates back to the end of the 16th century. At that time, the Giglioli family built the first church in Serravalle dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi. In 1639, with a papal bull from Pope Urban VIII, the Giglioli family succeeded in having San Francesco d'Assisi in Serravalle elevated to an abbey.

Another clearly dated step followed on 11 June 1858: the Abbey of San Francesco d'Assisi in Serravalle was elevated to a parish. Anyone interested in regional history, religious buildings and the development of local communities will find in these dates a concentrated way of accessing the town’s cultural heritage.

Cycling between the river fork and the Po di Goro

Near Serravalle, the Destra Po cycle route follows the first river fork and then continues along the Po di Goro.

The route’s division is also relevant when assessing it: the Destra Po cycle route consists of 76 % cycle path and 24 % mixed traffic.

Transport links and regional museum

The Ponte Pietropoli carries the SP12 over the Canal Bianco in Serravalle. The Civic Museum Civiltà in Polesine, a museum, is located in the wider regional area around Serravalle. Together with the church history, river landscape and cycle route, it creates a varied picture of the topics you can explore when discovering Serravalle.

Your priorities in Serravalle

When planning a trip, Serravalle is particularly suitable for consciously combining different interests. You can focus on the floodplain and the beginning of the river delta, explore the Destra Po cycle route or place the history of San Francesco d'Assisi at the centre of your visit. Accommodation in Serravalle can be selected accordingly, depending on which of these facets of the town you want to shape your stay.

Other destinations

Cento, Lido Di Pomposa, Ambrogio, Ravalle, Malborghetto di Boara, Volania, Ferrara, Lido Degli Scacchi

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Ferrara.