Rovigo: what to see, where to eat, and what to do in the evening

Rovigo is located in the southern part of Veneto, bordering Emilia Romagna, in a flat area notably rich in waterways and approximately 40 kilometers from the Adriatic Sea. Rovigo is part of the large area of the Veneto Regional Park of the Po Delta, an area of significant natural and historical interest. At first glance, a small and quiet city, it hides interesting pathways and centuries of history. Did you know, for example, that within Rovigo are preserved some mighty towers that are part of a magnificent medieval fortress? This is just one of the surprises of the city, so here is Rovigo: what to see, where to eat, and what to do in the evening.

This religious building, named La Rotonda for its octagonal shape, is one of the most famous and historic in the city. It is a truly monumental church, which is even more astonishing when you consider its origin: it was built between the 16th and 17th centuries solely to house a small image of the Madonna and Child, to which the city's inhabitants were very devoted and which was frescoed inside a small chapel.

It seems that the chapel could not accommodate the flow of devotees to the Virgin of Help, who interceded multiple times for the population of Rovigo, for example during a plague epidemic.

The exterior is magnificent, with the colonnade following the octagonal plan, but the interior will leave you even more breathless. There is a splendid altar dating back to 1607, and the entire decorative arrangement around the tiny painting of the Virgin is incredible: there are a series of angels holding the painting, and the entire structure emanates from the altar. Notable is also the large organ, which has been here since 1767.

Palazzo Roverella is a majestic building that comes directly from the Renaissance and Este period of the city. It overlooks Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, the heart of Rovigo. It was commissioned in 1474 by Cardinal Roverella to celebrate a particularly prosperous period for his family.

Over the centuries, the palace has undergone alterations unsuited to its original elegance, until the end of World War II when a renovation restored the façade, particularly playing with the chromatics of the red bricks and white marbles, making it impossible to miss upon arriving in the square. The interior, however, was renovated only after 1985.

Today, the palace hosts internationally significant exhibitions, two of which are permanent: the splendid Art Gallery, one of the most important and prestigious collections in Veneto, featuring masterpieces by Italian masters including Tiepolo, and Archaeology, with Etruscan, Roman, Greek, and Venetian finds. There are also often temporary exhibitions within the building, usually dedicated to art from the 1800s to 1900s.

The Museum of the Great Rivers is an exhibition dedicated to the civilizations that arose along the banks of the rivers that characterize the area, particularly in the Po and Adige Delta regions. The exhibition is hosted within the ancient former Monastery of the Olivetans. The museum is divided into three areas dedicated to different periods: Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Roman Age. The exhibition path is innovative and allows visitors to touch and actively participate in the visit; there are reconstructions of the discovery sites and life-size dioramas representing the customs and practices of the period corresponding to the exhibited finds.

Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II is the heart of Rovigo, the main square of the historic center. Here you can relax in one of the outdoor cafes and, from there, take a look at the surrounding buildings and statues. For example, atop a tall column, there is the lion of Venice, which survived the period when Rovigo belonged to the Republic of Venice.

Among the buildings is the Accademia dei Concordi, which once housed the valuable Art Gallery that is now located at Palazzo Roverella, City Hall, the Loggia dei Notari, and the Clock Tower. Naturally, standing out is Palazzo Roverella along with its neighboring Palazzo Roncale. In the square also stands a beautiful statue of King Vittorio Emanuele II to whom the square is dedicated.

The center of Rovigo conceals unexpected secrets, and thus, within a beautiful park, you can find the two towers, Donà and Grimani, both leaning, remains of the ancient medieval castle that served as a fortification for the city, of which various gates still remain along the defensive walls, including the Gate of San Bortolo. Unfortunately, the towers are only accessible from the outside, although there are plans for the future opening of the Torre Donà with a panoramic view of the entire city: a reason to return soon!

The Donà Tower is indeed 51 meters tall and is better preserved than the nearby Grimani, known as Torre Mozza because its upper part has completely collapsed. Surrounding it is a splendid park with playgrounds for children, benches, and the opportunity to relax a little.

The Church of Santa Giustina, which also gave its name to the neighborhood along the Adigetto, was once located where Piazza Garibaldi now stands, not far from the current site. The first document attesting to the existence of the church dates back to 1206. Only later, in the 1800s, was the church transferred to the current building where the Church of San Francesco was already present, thus uniting the worship of the two saints.

The current building is the result of a renovation that began in 1827, which completely altered the style of the original building. The façade was built at a later time on the current forecourt and was initially decorated with five statues, which were removed in the late 1960s.

A curiosity: in 1914 the baptismal font was finally inaugurated, which had been requested in 1603, over three hundred years prior, by the parish priest of Santa Giustina. Notable is the marble statue by Giovanni Marchiori representing Saint Lawrence at the third altar on the right, along with some important paintings and the antique organ.

The Roncale Palace is a noble palace located near Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II. It was built in 1555 by the Roncale family, who moved from Bergamo around the middle of the 15th century. The project was entrusted to the Veronese Michele Sanmicheli, who had a difficult task: ensuring that Palazzo Roncale could compete with the elegance of Palazzo Roverella without being outshone.

The palace was constructed with a floor plan very similar to that of Venetian palaces; in the 20th century, it underwent a major renovation.

Currently, Palazzo Roncale hosts an ideal thematic continuation of the collection of the Art Gallery of Palazzo Roverella and frequently holds some temporary exhibitions.

The Gate of San Bortolo is really interesting, being the best-preserved gate of the two remaining from the defensive wall of Rovigo. Its structure is made of brick with a single arch and overlooks Piazza Umberto Merlin, serving as a gateway between the city center and the neighborhood of San Bartolomeo, south of the city.

Its appearance has remained practically unchanged since the works to the wall began after 1482, carried out by the Republic of Venice; notably, and clearly visible, is the Ghibelline battlement, which has been recently restored. This gate is well worth a visit, taking a bit of a stroll away from the center to admire it.

The Church of San Bartolomeo is characteristic because it is one of the few examples of religious architecture from the 16th century found in the southern Veneto region. Inside, there are also some elements of Baroque style, such as stuccoes and frescoes, added over the course of the following century. The current building was erected as a replacement for the previous monastery church dedicated to San Bartolomeo, built in the 13th century by the Humiliati congregation.

In 1480, the old convent was demolished, and the new church, which includes the current cloister connected to the outside by a stone portal, was constructed. The portal bears an inscription of the anathema of Pope Gregory XI against anyone daring to violate the monastery. Noteworthy is the organ dated 1778, located beside the main altar, on a cantoria, which is still functional.

The Pighin Tower, named after the street it is located on, is the third of the three towers of Rovigo that have survived throughout time, and it was part of the wall built in 1138 by the Bishop of Adria to strengthen the city's defense.

It is made of square masonry and currently stands amidst modern houses; after various vicissitudes, the tower has returned to being privately inhabited, as it had been in the past, which unfortunately means it is not accessible except from the outside. A stroll around the tower is, however, recommended, to see this witness of the past that still stands among contemporary buildings.

Start your day in Rovigo with a visit to the Museum of the Great Rivers, an interactive museum exploring the history and civilizations that developed along Italy's great rivers. Continue with a visit to the Church of San Bartolomeo, an intriguing Baroque church housing sacred art.

Just a short walk away, you will find the historic Gate of San Bartolo, an ancient city entrance, and the nearby Pighin Tower, one of the medieval towers that once formed part of Rovigo's defensive system. From there, reach Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, the city's main square, where you can take a break admiring the historic buildings surrounding it.

Next, visit Palazzo Roverella, known for hosting important art exhibitions and its Renaissance architecture. Proceed to the Towers Donà and Grimani, two of the remaining towers from ancient fortifications of Rovigo, still dominating the city's skyline today. Conclude the day with a visit to the Church of the Blessed Virgin of Help, known as La Rotonda, a splendid example of Baroque architecture with a richly decorated circular layout inside.

Rovigo is a quiet town; however, during the weekend and in the beautiful season, the most characteristic places in the city come alive: particularly Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, filled with local spots, the small streets of the center surrounding it, and Corso del Popolo, the long street dense with activity that runs through the city from north to south. If you are looking for nightclubs, most of them can be found in Arquà Polesine (about 10 kilometers from Rovigo) and Adria (about 25 kilometers away), but the city center still offers venues that feature live music and drinks.