A trip of the soul, in the history of a land that rediscovers traces of its past among churches, sanctuaries, and abbeys, going back to when the miracles were frequent and united the community.
During the Jubilee year, Ferrara hosts no less than four sites, (Ferrara Cathedral, Church of Santa Maria in Vado, Church of San Francesco and Cathedral of San Cassiano in Comacchio) where it is possible to receive indulgences and where the fascinating stories of the miracles re-emerge: the Blood spilled from a host, a sepulchral slab dripping prodigious water, the Miracle of Bread, the transformation of water into wine, in the very lands of the DOC wines of the sands.
The two-day itinerary includes a walk in the historical center of Ferrara and, on the following day, a loop drive in the wide plain: Argenta, Comacchio, Pomposa and Bondeno are the municipalities united by the theme of miracles, where nature and mysticism coexist in perfect harmony.
The perfect tour for those who are looking for beauty, recollection and wonder.
The walk through the sites of faith and miracles begins at the heart of Ferrara, in St. Giorgio’s Cathedral, consecrated in 1135. The precious façade – today partially covered – is made of white and pink marble. Romanesque and gothic blend together perfectly: the lower part is in Romanesque style, with a majestic portal attributed to the sculptor Nicholaus, while the upper arches are in Gothic style. The visit also allows you to admire the impressive 18th-century interior with the beautiful apse fresco by the painter Sebastiano Filippi active in Ferrara in the second half of the 16th century.
Tips
We recommend visiting the Cathedral’s Museum, located in the nearby San Romano Church. Among the many works of art, you can see the marble tiles that used to decorate the lateral portal, from which pilgrims would access the Cathedral. They are the symbol of the Jubilee year in Ferrara.
Curiosities
During the restoration work on the 18th-century pillars, some medieval columns resurfaced after more than three centuries. Most of the capitals were found intact and decorated with anthropomorphic figures, proof of the lively imagination of the medieval times.
Walking through the medieval streets towards the ancient walls, you will reach the Monastery of St. Antonio in Polesine, the city's most remote and isolated hermitage, where the cult of Blessed Beatrice II d'Este lives on. From her tombstone slab exudes a miraculous water and it is said that, on the eve of important events, premonitory noises come from the tomb.
Visiting the inner church is a once in a lifetime experience capable of touching one's heart, not only because of the uncorrupted atmosphere, but also because of the presence of the Giotto school frescoes, painted between the late 13th and mid 14th century.
Tips
To whoever might be interested in an unusual and immersive experience, we recommend listening to the nuns’ Gregorian chant, accompanied by the organ used for the major Liturgical Hours, Prayers and Vespers and the Saint Mass.
Curiosities
Beatrice II d’Este was born in 1226 in the Euganean Hills. Daughter of Azzo VII d’Este and Giovanna di Puglia, she lost her mother at a young age and decided to devote her life to God. After moving to the Monastery of St. Antonio in Polesine with other sisters, she dedicated herself to prayer and helping people in need until she died in 1262.
After a 10-minute walk through the streets of the addition commissioned by Duke Borso of Este, you will find The Church of Santa Maria in Vado, where in 1171, during the Easter Mass, the Miracle of the Blood took place.
When the Prior broke the consecrated host, a spray of blood came out of it and stained the vault above the altar. The ancient vault, where the blood stains are still visible today, is a destination for devotion and pilgrimage.
A visit to the nearby Schifanoia Palace is not to be missed: its profane frescoes tell the story of a completely different side of the city.
After a lunch break, maybe tasting the crunchy local bread called Coppia ferrarese, you can resume the walk in the afternoon, starting from the secluded Monastery of Corpus Domini, which preserves the tombs of several Este family members and the memory of St. Caterina Vegri, the protagonist of the Miracle of Bread.
After putting the bread in the oven, Caterina devoted herself to following the Holy Father's sermon that lasted more than four hours. The nuns were sure that the bread would have burnt, but instead, once it was taken out of the oven, it turned out to be fragrant and cooked to perfection. To commemorate the event, the Poor Clares bake bread in this ancient oven once a year in March, offering a special visit to tourists and believers.
An interesting fact about the Monastery of Corpus Domini: in the year 1600, the nuns of this monastery created a dessert for aristocrats and prelates, inspired by the recipes of the cook Cristoforo da Messisbugo. That is how Pampapato was born, a dessert full of history and tradition.
In Via Terranova, not far from the Monastery of Corpus Domini, is located the majestic Church of St. Francesco, a jubilee location rich in history. Founded by the followers of St. Francis when the Saint was still alive, the monastery soon became an important spirituality centre, supported by many influential and rich families, in particular the Este family. The inside has the shape of a Latin cross, with three aisles that have eight chapels for each side. Prominent among the works of art in the church is the splendid fresco called ‘La Cattura di Cristo’ (1524) by Garofalo, one of the protagonists of the Ferrarese school.
At the end of the day, we recommend staying overnight in Ferrara and having dinner in one of the many restaurants, where you can try some of the traditional dishes, such as Cappellacci di zucca (homemade pasta filled with pumpkin).
From Ferrara, the first leg of the itinerary is in the southern part of the province, in Argenta, the town where ‘Santuario della Beata Vergine della Celletta’ (Santuary of the Blessed Virgin of the Little Cell) is located.
The building, built by the famous architect Giovan Battista Aleotti, has been the protagonist of many miracles:
From Argenta, you can move on in the direction of Comacchio and reach the Argine Agosta that borders the naturalistic area of the Comacchio Valleys, the tourist destination par excellence of the Po Delta Park.
Comacchio, with its history and the charm of the lagoons, adds a unique dimension to the Jubilee experience, where opportunities for prayer are combined with cultural initiatives that enrich the year. A bit outside of the historical center, connected by the long Capuchin arcade, there is the ‘Santuario di Santa Maria in Aula Regia’ dedicated to the revered image of the same name. Built in the X century, it always boasted an important role. In the apsidal part there is the painted wooden altarpiece which houses the statue of the Black Madonna and Child in terracotta, protector of the town and symbol of motherhood and hope for the community of Comacchio.
To discover a characteristic of the lagoon city, we recommend a visit to Manifattura dei Marinati, a museum-factory that tells everything you need to know about the eels.
In the city center you will come across the Basilica Concattedrale di San Cassiano, which appears truly disproportionate in size when compared to the urban context, as it dominates its surroundings with its imposing presence.
To taste
The salt water and lagoon aromas have been attracting curious palates for centuries. Eels, mullets, clams, mussels and crustaceans are cooked according to both tradition and modernity, creating tasty and interesting dishes that can be paired with one of the Vini del Bosco Eliceo, such as Fortana, Merlot, Bianco del Bosco and Sauvignon: both reds and whites are fresh wines, light and aromatic, the perfect choice to enhance the taste of the sea and the land of this area.
Moving on the Strada Romea, ancient pilgrimage road, you will reach the Abbey of Pomposa, one of the most important medieval churches in Italy. With just one ticket, you can visit the Church of St. Mary with frescos and mosaics, the Pomposian Museum, the Chapter House and Refectory, where the fresco of St. Guido’s Miracle stands out: the blessed abbot turns water into wine in the presence of the archbishop of Ravenna. St. Guido was a wise man, he was holy and had a strong personality; under his leadership, the monastery experienced a flourishing period.
An interesting fact about the Abbey of Pomposa: according to the legend, the monk and musical theorist Guido d’Arezzo invented the modern musical notation based on the seven-note scale in this very abbey.
In the lands east of Ferrara, nestled in the countryside close to the Po River, the Santuario della Madonna della Pioppa preserves an atmosphere of intimacy and peace. The little church is the evolution of a capitol erected in 1680 on the spot where the Virgin Mary appeared to a young deaf girl, miraculously healing her after she prayed before an image of Saint Mary of Loreto, painted on wood and hung on a poplar tree. That is why it is called Madonna della Pioppa (Poplar tree). In the mid-nineteenth century, the present building was built to accommodate the increasingly numerous pilgrims, who wanted to visit the site of the miracle.
Its inclusion in the sites of 2025 Jubilee is an acknowledgment of its historical importance and of the value of simplicity in the spiritual quest.
