Between art and Nature in the Argenta Valley

Be surprised by an itinerary that combines art, landscape and culinary tradition. The weekend begins on Friday with a guided tour of theArgenta Civic Museum: a building of 15th-century architecture inside the former church of San Domenico. The splendid niches inside the nave, house paintings and sculptures, and the museum holds a collection of archaeological finds discovered in the Argenta area between the 1980s and 1990s, which tell the history and evolution of settlements from the early Middle Ages to the 17th century. This is followed by the ancientPieve di San Giorgiowith its mosaic-decorated floor.

On Saturdayhikewith an experienced environmental guide inVallesanta, one of the largest freshwater wetlands in northern Italy, within thePo Delta Park.The area is accessible by bicycle and pedestrian paths (6km) on turf until you reach an observation tower where from above you will be able to admire both the expansion tank and the wet meadow and the species that inhabit it. For the more experienced it will be possible to complete the tour with a loop circuit, returning from a gravel path placed under the bank of the Idice stream (the itinerary will be 10 km long in this case). At the end of the hike,lunchinside a farmhouse with land, valley or vegetarian menus. The farm raises animals and has its own vegetable garden, so the very careful catering includes the use of cultivated and fresh seasonal products.

On Sunday before returning, possibility of free visits in the surrounding area to theCelletta Sanctuarydating back to the early 17th century, where the original fresco of theMadonna and Child by Garofalois kept. Or visit theArgenta Gap War Cemeterywhere 625 Commonwealth soldiers who fell during World War II were buried, and to theformer Palazzo Mercato Coperto(home to contemporary art exhibitions)