Palude di Ostiglia, Regional nature reserve in Ostiglia, Italy
The Palude di Ostiglia is a protected marsh reserve along the Busatello River, characterized by extensive reed beds and aquatic plant life spread across more than 100 hectares. The terrain remains flat and low-lying, creating a water-rich environment where vegetation thrives year-round.
This reserve preserves one of the last sections of an extensive wetland system that once covered much larger areas before drainage projects transformed the landscape. These changes began around 170 years ago and fundamentally altered how water and land interact in this region.
The name comes from the marshes that have shaped this landscape for centuries and remain central to local identity here. Visitors today walk through what represents one of the few remaining wetland environments in the region.
A network of observation points connects the area through accessible walking paths, making it easy to explore on foot or by bicycle. Visiting is possible throughout the year, though spring and autumn offer the best conditions for observing wildlife and vegetation.
The site hosts a large variety of bird species, including several rare types that are particularly difficult to find elsewhere in the region. It is also home to a special frog species found nowhere else on the Po Plain, a detail often overlooked by casual visitors.
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