Gran Bosco della Mesola

The Gran Bosco della Mesola is a woodland on the edge of the Po Delta and a rare remnant of the ancient forests that covered the Po Plain in the Middle Ages. It covers about 1,058 hectares and has been a protected nature reserve since the 1970s. In the 16th century the Este family had Mesola Castle built as a residence for their hunts in the forest. The reserve is known for the Mesola deer, an endemic subspecies of red deer; the population is estimated at around 300 animals.

Only part of the forest can be explored freely on foot or by bicycle; three waymarked trails take roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes. The rest can only be seen on guided tours by bike or minibus. Entry is charged, and you pay the parking fee and ticket at a booth between the car park and the entrance. The reserve is not open every day, so check the opening days beforehand. In Mesola Castle, a museum is devoted to the deer and the forest.