The Italian City of Adria

Positioned between the mouths of the rivers Adige and Po, Adria is a town and commune in the province of Rovigo in the Veneto region of Northern Italy. It is believed that Adria gave the Adriatic Sea its name during earlier times when the two were connected through a number of waterways.

The ancient Adria was divided into two parts by the Canal Bianco, which was used for irrigation of the fields. The Etruscan city of Atria underlies the modern city, 3-4 meters below the current level. Situated 20 kilometres east of Rovigo, the small town was once positioned directly by the sea!

Adria has a rich history associated with it. The city was originally a small village named Hatria. Around 2500 years ago, Etruscan and Greek merchants inhabited this small farming village and turned it into the most important trading port in the whole region. The influence of the ancient port is visible even today and is evident in the name of a whole section of the sea – the Adriatic. The city slowly lost its connection to the sea because of the increasing deposits of the Po and thus, lost its importance in the region. The city of Adria is now located some 25 kilometers from the sea and can only feel nostalgic of it’s great history, looking back on a bygone past.

History of The Italian City of Adria

The city of Adria is full of great religious sites, architecture, and culture. The most spectacular of Italian churches are located here, such as the Church of Santa Maria and the Adria Cathedral. The Church of Santa Maria Assunta della Tomba (formerly the cathedral) dates back to medieval period but was rebuilt in 1718. It houses an octagonal baptismal font from the 7th or 8th century, with the carved name of the 3rd bishop of Adria, Bono. Other works of art include several 15th and 16th centuries’ paintings and in the chapel a beautiful terracotta relief depicting a Dormitio Virginis, attributed to Michele da Firenze. Adria Cathedral is the New Cathedral (Cattedrale Nuova dei Santi Petro i Paulo), that has been dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Adria is another must-see attraction for tourists visiting the region.

While traveling on a Casual Bike and Barge Cruise on the Ave Marie or Vita Pugna in Italy, you will make a stop at the Italian city of Adria where you get a chance to feel and imbibe the unforgettable Italian history and culture!