The Mesola Pine Forests

The Motte Pine Forests, Pineta Ribaldesa and Pineta del Fondo, covering a total area of 89.65.93 hectares, are located between Bosco Mesola and Mesola, separated by the Romea road and the Gorgo del Fondo.

They stand on a dune system known as the Motte del Fondo, formed around the 10th century AD, which separated the area of the former Valle Vallona (now reclaimed land) from the sea. These woodland formations were established between 1936 and 1938, when the Società di Bonifica Terreni Ferraresi carried out the sowing of pine nuts in furrows.

South of the town of Mesola, near the SS Romea, the Ribaldesa and Motte pine forests extend over approximately one hundred hectares. They were planted between 1936 and 1938 by the Società di Bonifica Terreni Ferraresi on a dune ridge dating back to the Roman period.

Although artificial in origin, the pine forest has become a favorable habitat for many animal species and plays an important role in the conservation of coastal birdlife. For these reasons, these areas have been designated as Wildlife Protection Oases.

At present, the wooded area is largely composed of maritime pine. In the understory, native tree and shrub species have been introduced in recent years to promote naturalization and increase species diversity.