Melara: Churches, history and regional traditions

Melara combines church architecture and art with the history of its castle, archaeological heritage, an annual fair, cycling and regional cuisine.

Church architecture and history

The present-day Chiesa di San Materno was built between 1704 and 1732. It was designed by the brothers Sante and Vincenzo Santini from Ferrara. On 25 May 1732, the new church was blessed and opened for worship despite being incomplete. Its construction history therefore encompasses both the work carried out over several years and the use of the building before it was finished.

Melara’s present-day bell tower offers another glimpse into the past. It was built in 1404 on the surviving remains of a castle that had been almost completely destroyed on 9 April 1397 during the war between Mantua and Ferrara. The two dates mark different events: the destruction of the castle and the later construction of the tower on the remaining ruins. The bell tower was built in 1404, around 300 years before the Chiesa di San Materno was constructed between 1704 and 1732. The history of the castle and tower thus belongs to the late Middle Ages, while the church dates to a later building period in the early 18th century.

The Museo Archeologico Comunale is an important cultural institution in Melara. It preserves and promotes a community’s archaeological heritage.

Church art and an annual tradition

The Chiesetta di Santo Stefano is associated with an annual Santa Croce fair. It takes place on the Sunday after 3 May and was established in 1865 under Austrian rule. Because the date is tied to a particular day of the week, it does not fall on the same calendar date every year. If you would like to include the fair in your travel plans, check the local date in advance.

The Chiesa di Santa Croce also houses a polychrome wooden statue of the dead Christ. The polychrome wooden statue is in the Chiesa di Santa Croce; the annual fair is associated with the Chiesetta di Santo Stefano.

Cycling route and regional cuisine

The Sinistra Po cycling route runs from Melara along the embankment to Occhiobello. Along the route, the fields are on the left and the Po is on the right. Check current route conditions before setting out on a ride.

Tortelli are also part of the local culinary tradition: they are handmade using recipes passed down through generations. Another aspect is a Pro Loco initiative launched in Melara around 25 years ago to promote a traditional regional product. It brought pumpkin together with the long-established specialty tortello.

Discover more destinations: San Martino Di Venezze, Polesella, San Basilio, Rovigo, Bagnolo Di Po, Taglio Di Po, Adria, Frassinelle Polesine

Return to the main travel overview: Rovigo.