Pagana: Churches, Po Riverbanks and Paths through the Waterscape

For your travel planning, Pagana can be explored through its landscape, history and opportunities for active pursuits. At Via Pagana 48, 45037 Melara, you will find Base Scout Santo Stefano. Melara is located on the banks of the Po. Together with wetlands, waterways, churches, archaeological traces and outdoor activities, this creates a multifaceted picture for travellers who wish to combine cultural and natural experiences.

Waterscape along the Po

The Canal Bianco is regulated by a series of locks that supply smaller watercourses with water. The Palude di Busatello is a wetland in the Site of Community Importance SIC IT3210013 and is also a Special Protection Area ZPS IT3210013. The wetland covers approximately 50 hectares. The name Melara also refers to an older layer: it derives from the ancient Mellaria, which is considered to have been a place where honey was produced.

Churches with a long history

The new Chiesa di San Materno was blessed and opened for worship on 25 May 1732, although it was still incomplete. The present-day Chiesa di San Materno was built during the period when Don Giovanni Montini served as archpriest from 1704 to 1732. The Chiesa di Santa Croce has been documented since the mid-16th century. In 1999–2000, local volunteers saved it from falling into disrepair. The Chiesa di Santa Croce is also associated with an annual Santa Croce fair, held on the Sunday after 3 May.

Archaeological and sacred traces

The Chiesetta di Santo Stefano, a very old church, is located in the Santo Stefano district. The Arco Chigi recalls the rule of the Papal States, which had also extended to Melara since 1598. The Museo Archeologico Comunale is an important cultural institution that preserves and promotes a community’s archaeological heritage. An Iron Age settlement site was located in Mariconda, in the municipality of Melara. Luminis Strata is a pilgrimage route associated with the Madre Santissima dell’Eterno Lume.

Hiking and kayaking

A 3.5 km hiking route leads from Base Scout Santo Stefano to the Santurio della Comuna; the walking time is 47 minutes. The combination of route length and walking time provides a concrete basis for planning your own day. For an activity on the water, Base Scout Santo Stefano rents double kayaks with instructors for 5 euros per day.

Arrival orientation

The nearest railway station to Base Scout Santo Stefano is Ostiglia on the Verona–Bologna line. The total distance from Ostiglia railway station to the base is approximately 6.5 km.

Further destinations

For further travel planning, you can also discover Porto Tolle, Loreo, Taglio Di Po, Melara, Albarella Isola, Adria, Ceregnano and Rosolina Mare.

For the higher-level travel overview: Rovigo.