Ferrara now has a new archaeological park: the Bastion of Love


As of today, the new Baluardo dell'Amore Archaeological Park in Ferrara was officially opened.

Ferrara has a new Archaeological Park: after four hundred years, visitors will now be able to walk along the Bastion of Love. An itinerary that faithfully follows the routes originally traced by the Este family has been officially opened: the new Park is located in the southern section of the city walls, where the ancient Porta dell’Amore stands.

It will thus be possible to admire the original structures, tombed by papal provisions around 1630, and follow the traces of the Este family of the 15th and 16th centuries, crossing the parade ground, passing under and inside the first level of the Porta dell’Amore, as well as climbing the ancient gunboats where defensive war scenes took place and rediscovering the original Este guards’ optic cones.

The opening of the Archaeological Park of the Bastion of Love is due to the Municipality of Ferrara, which made it possible at a total cost of 420,000 euros.

“We are satisfied with the opening to the enjoyment of citizens and tourists of a new monumental asset, a space recovered with great care that tells the ancient history, the origins of our city. I thank all those who contributed to this important result, increasing the charm and attractiveness of our historic Walls,” commented Public Works Councillor Andrea Maggi.

TheBaluardo dell’Amore (Bastion of Love), with its typical Ace of Spades shape, is located along the curtain wall erected by Duke Borso d’Este in the mid-15th century to incorporate the buried island of Sant’Antonio in Polesine into the city. However, the bulwark was built a century later, when Alfonso II d’Este promoted a significant defensive reinforcement of the southern fortifications near the Po between 1578 and 1585.

It seems that the name Porta dell’Amore is linked to a story: a maiden desired by many suitors was orphaned in the plague of 1520; a young man, after the plague, took her to the parish priest and the church, vowing to respect the maiden forever. He married her, and because the rare act was done solely out of love, the street where the maiden lived has been called Love or Good Love ever since.

Ph.Credit Ansa

Ferrara now has a new archaeological park: the Bastion of Love
Ferrara now has a new archaeological park: the Bastion of Love


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