Polesine

Polesine is a historical and geographical region in northeastern Italy, within the Veneto region. It lies between the Adige River to the north and the Po River to the south, extending to the Adriatic coast. The region’s core is the province of Rovigo, whose capital is Rovigo; the landscape includes towns such as Adria, Badia Polesine, Lendinara, and Loreo.

Geography and environment: It is a flat, low-lying alluvial plain shaped by centuries of river action. The area is crisscrossed by irrigation and drainage channels and contains several reed beds and ponds. Agriculture has long dominated the economy, with cereals, maize, vegetables, and rice in some areas; the coastal zones also support fishing and other coastal activities near the mouths of the rivers.

History: Historically, the Polesine lay along shifting boundaries between major powers. It became part of the Republic of Venice in the 15th century and remained under Venetian rule until the late 18th century, after which it passed to Austrian-controlled Lombardy-Venetia during the Napoleonic era. In 1866, the Veneto region joined the Kingdom of Italy. The region is also known for the dramatic Po River flood of 1951, which caused extensive damage and led to major flood-control projects and dike-building.

Modern status: Polesine is no longer an administrative unit but a historic and cultural area within Veneto. The name persists in local identity and in the names of municipalities such as Badia Polesine, Rovigo, and Adria.