18 Km from the hotel

The construction of the impressive architectural complex of the Castle of Mesola began in 1578 at the behest of the Duke Alfonso II, the last descendant of the dynasty of the Este family, who wished to leave an important mark on the territory of Ferrara with the construction of a sumptuous residence of the court, in order to compete in size and magnificence with the oldest castle in Ferrara, absolute symbol of the Este family’s domination.

The castle is a structure in the middle between a fortress and a luxury house or “Delizia”, protected by nine miles of walls and surrounded by a wood for hunting.

According to some historians’ assumption, this future Renaissance city had to counter the power of Venice over the Adriatic sea: an ambitious project that needed time and heirs, that, however, Alfonso II was not able to have. In fact in 1598 the Papal States regained the possession of the Duchy of Ferrara and consequently of Mesola too.