Poggio Renatico

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Poggio Renatico is a town in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, in the Province of Ferrara. It lies about 30 kilometers northeast of Bologna and 12 kilometers southwest of Ferrara. The area covers about 80 square kilometers and sits around 10 meters above sea level. About 9,700 people lived there as of August 2022. Locally, the town is known as Al Puz in the Poggese dialect and Al Pògio in Ferrarese.

In the Middle Ages, Bologna’s rulers built a line of towers and castles in the Poggio Renatico area to control fishing and river trade and to defend against Ferrara. There is a large Italian Air Force radar station a few kilometers from the town. NATO has used it to coordinate air operations, including during the Libyan Civil War in 2011.

The town was affected by the 2012 Emilia earthquakes, which damaged historic buildings such as the Lambertini Castle clock tower and the dome and bell tower of the Abbey Church of St. Michael the Archangel. The church steeple was demolished later that year.

Poggio Renatico borders Baricella, Ferrara, Galliera, Malalbergo, Terre del Reno, and Vigarano Mainarda.