Padimetro, Historical water gauge in Ferrara, Italy.
The Padimetro is a water gauge set into a white marble slab running up a column supporting the Palazzo Ducale's portico in Ferrara. Multiple levels are marked along its height to document different water levels of the Po River over time.
It was created to record major flooding events of the Po River between 1705 and 1951. These marks document over two centuries of the river's dangerous behavior and its impact on the city.
The name Padimetro comes from ancient Latin 'padus metros', where Padus was the original name of the Po River. The marks on it show how people in this city have watched the water and its dangers for centuries.
It stands beside Palazzo Ducale near Piazza Girolamo Savonarola and is easy to spot when visiting Castello Estense nearby. You can view it anytime throughout the year without any special preparation needed.
The lowest mark on the gauge refers to a measurement of about 8.51 meters above sea level taken from Pontelagoscuro. This precise reference point shows how carefully people tracked water levels in those times.
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