The Comacchio wetlands is an incredible example of man-shape environment, where during the centuries the local population has learn to live in extreme situations. Now, those skills are used in order to safeguard beautiful pages of history, culture and flavors! Situated in the southern side of the delta of Po River, Comacchio has a nice historical city center and two amazing jewelries: the fishery and the salt-making. Nowadays, everything is proposed like in the past: the building where is produced the Traditional Marinated Eel, the Saltpans, the channels, the landscape and the large number of birds that flying over your head.
“The rhythm is magic”. Yes, it’s true. The rhythm of the Nature is really a magic. But in some places you can hear this rhythm stronger; sometimes so strong that you cannot forget it. It happens, really often, in the Po delta. We know it, because a lot of movie’s directors have been captured from this atmosphere and every year a lot of tourists come back.
Comacchio is a nice town, built on some islands and, because of this, is called the “little Venice”. But, may you imagine a little Venice only for you, and to visit the places where, from centuries, the work is done like a real masterpiece?
In the Manifattura dei Marinati (handmade production of marinated fish) is possible to visit the museum on the production of Marinated Eel and, from October to Dicember, to visit the factory of this typical food. The transformation of fishes started in the past in order to have some “food” for long periods where the fishery didn’t give fruits. In the last century, this product has become very famous and is required from huge restaurants and gastronomies in Europe and abroad. The fish is cooked at the fireplace and the flames give a particular spirit to the visitors.
The saltpan of Comacchio is a 520 hectares area, with a high ecological value; in a part of it, a micro-saltpan has been built and is possible to see the cycle of salt-making: from the water of the sea, to the collection of salt. The magic, every year, appears to the tourist. But what is the real and “true” flavor of the salt? To know it, you have to taste the “sweet salt” (it means a salt without presence of metals) produced here!
The salt produced into the saltpan of Comacchio is no-commercial, but near there is another saltpan, that produce both in traditional and modern way: this is Salpan of Cervia, located near a nice town, 1h drive, at south of Ravenna (a city recognized like UNESCO world heritage). In Cervia is possible to visit the saltpans and a very nice Salt Shop, with every kind of productions based on salt. In this place is nice to try the Salt’s Room, a relaxing bath of salt’s breath that everyone will enjoy.
The Marinated Eel and the Salt of Cervia (Camillone saltpan) have been recognized as a Presidium Slow Food, and they are real treasures of Italy.
For more Info contact www.bb-nature.eu