Ariano Nel Polesine

Historical Traces and Distinctive Landscapes

Ariano Nel Polesine can be explored through two clearly identifiable themes: the archaeological and cultural history of San Basilio, and a landscape characterized by fossil dunes and distinctive wetlands. For your travel planning, these combine different ways of visiting—from a guided exhibition with specific times to a cycling tour and nature-related sites in the Po Delta.

San Basilio: Exhibition and Archaeology

At the Centro Turistico Culturale San Basilio, the history of San Basilio takes center stage. The exhibition is divided into five sections and spans the period from the Etruscan era to the Early Middle Ages. The very first section presents San Basilio as an archaeological site that originated in the 7th century BC and had a pronounced commercial focus.

A residential building from the Roman Imperial period, referred to as a villa or mansio, is part of the archaeological site of San Basilio. The Centro Turistico Culturale San Basilio also displays Greek pottery, Daunian pottery and a vessel made in Veneto.

The visiting arrangements are clearly defined: guided tours of the Centro Turistico Culturale San Basilio are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. A tour lasts 1 hour 30 minutes and requires advance booking. The center is located at Via San Basilio 12, Località San Basilio, 45012 Ariano nel Polesine (RO).

Fossil Dunes and Rotta Martino

The landscape of Ariano Nel Polesine includes fossil dunes in the villages of San Basilio and Grillara. They are part of a system of coastal dune ridges dating from the pre-Etruscan, Etruscan and Early Medieval periods. Alongside the archaeological exhibition, this places a landscape feature at the center whose geological and historical character is described across several eras.

Rotta Martino borders the fossil dune complex of San Basilio. It is a remnant of a paleo-channel and is considered an area of outstanding geomorphological, ecological and landscape interest. At the same time, it is described as the only natural, enclosed freshwater basin in the Po Delta south of the Po di Venezia. Rotta Martino also contains a concentration of plant species that are rare elsewhere in the region.

Another distinctive site is the dune near San Basilio. It lies close to the road connecting San Basilio with Taglio di Po and, because of its small extent, is compared to a small wild island in the flat, sandy landscape.

Cycling Tour and Terracotta Ocarinas

For another way of understanding the surroundings, the Parco Regionale Veneto del Delta del Po lists “L'isola di Ariano e l'antica via romana” as a cycling tour with a stated duration of 4 hours. “L'isola di Ariano e l'antica via romana” is considered a scenic circular route with a focus on nature and wildlife.

In Grillara, the Collezione di ocarine di Grillara adds to the cultural focus. The collection comprises terracotta wind instruments. There, visitors can observe the various stages of clay processing and take part in making ocarinas. San Basilio and Grillara thus represent different ways of experiencing Ariano Nel Polesine: archaeological history and ceramics in one place, craftsmanship and musical instruments in the other.

More Places to Choose From

For an additional selection of places, you can also visit Pagana, Bagnolo Di Po, Occhiobello, Guarda Veneta, Polesella, Castelguglielmo Rovigo, Costa di Rovigo and Piano.

For the overview of the wider region: Rovigo.