# Ostellato > Italian comune **Wikidata**: [Q95131](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q95131) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ostellato) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ostellato ## Summary Ostellato is an Italian comune (municipality) located in the Province of Ferrara in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. The municipality sits at coordinates 44.7284469° N latitude and 11.970556° E longitude and encompasses several smaller settlements including Medelana, Dogato, Rovereto, San Vito, San Giovanni, and Libolla. With a population of approximately 6,000-6,100 residents, Ostellato represents a small but historically significant administrative center in the Ferrara province. ## Key Facts - **Location:** Province of Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna region, Italy - **Geographic Coordinates:** 44.7284469° N, 11.970556° E - **Country:** Italy - **Administrative Classification:** Comune of Italy (municipal division of Italy) - **Population:** 6,129 (most recent); 6,030; 5,604 (historical data points) - **Website:** http://www.comune.ostellato.fe.it - **Wikipedia Title:** Ostellato - **Wikidata Description:** Italian comune - **Sitelink Count:** 51 - **Contained Settlements:** Medelana, Dogato, Rovereto, San Vito, San Giovanni, Libolla ## FAQs **What region and province is Ostellato located in?** Ostellato is located in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, specifically within the Province of Ferrara. This province is one of the administrative divisions in the northern portion of the Italian peninsula. **What villages and settlements are part of Ostellato's municipality?** The municipality of Ostellato encompasses several smaller settlements and villages, including Medelana, Dogato, Rovereto, San Vito, San Giovanni, and Libolla. Each of these settlements contributes to the overall administrative and social structure of the comune. **What type of administrative division is Ostellato?** Ostellato is classified as a "comune," which is the fundamental administrative division in Italy. Comunes serve as the smallest administrative units in the country and are equivalent to municipalities or towns, responsible for local governance and services. **How can I find more information about Ostellato's local government?** The official website for the municipality of Ostellato is http://www.comune.ostellato.fe.it, where residents and visitors can access information about local services, administrative offices, and community events. ## Why It Matters Ostellato represents an important example of the traditional Italian administrative system that has governed local communities for centuries. As a comune, it serves as the primary point of contact for citizens seeking municipal services, from civil registration to local planning and public works. The municipality's location in the Province of Ferrara places it within one of Italy's historically significant regions, known for its Renaissance architecture, agricultural productivity, and cultural heritage. The presence of multiple smaller settlements within Ostellato's municipal boundaries illustrates the interconnected nature of Italian civic organization, where urban centers serve as hubs for surrounding rural communities. This structure facilitates the efficient delivery of government services while maintaining the distinct identities of individual villages and neighborhoods. From a geographic perspective, Ostellato's position in Emilia-Romagna places it within one of Italy's most economically productive regions, contributing to both agricultural output and light manufacturing. The municipality's population figures reflect its role as a service center for the surrounding area, providing educational, healthcare, and commercial facilities to residents of the comune and its constituent villages. ## Notable For - **Administrative Structure:** Ostellato serves as the administrative center for six distinct settlements (Medelana, Dogato, Rovereto, San Vito, San Giovanni, and Libolla), demonstrating the comune system's ability to coordinate multiple communities under unified local governance. - **Regional Significance:** Located in the Province of Ferrara, Ostellato is part of Emilia-Romagna, a region renowned for its historical cities, agricultural production (particularly wine and dairy), and industrial output. - **Digital Presence:** The municipality maintains an official web presence, reflecting modern efforts to provide transparent governance and accessible public services to citizens. - **Historical Administrative Units:** As part of the sistema dei comuni (comune system), Ostellato continues a tradition of local governance that dates back centuries in Italian administrative history. ## Body ### Geography and Location Ostellato is situated in the eastern portion of the Province of Ferrara, within the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. The municipality's geographic coordinates place it at 44.7284469° north latitude and 11.970556° east longitude. This positioning places Ostellato within the Po Valley, one of Italy's most fertile agricultural regions, characterized by flat terrain and extensive farmland. The municipality covers an administrative area that encompasses not only the central settlement of Ostellato but also several smaller villages and hamlets. These include Medelana, Dogato, Rovereto, San Vito, San Giovanni, and Libolla, each representing distinct communities that fall under Ostellato's municipal jurisdiction. This structure is typical of Italian comune organization, where larger population centers often serve as administrative hubs for surrounding smaller settlements. ### Administrative Structure As an Italian comune, Ostellato functions as the fundamental unit of local government in Italy. The comune system represents the lowest level of administrative division in the country, responsible for a wide range of municipal services including civil registry, local taxation, public works, zoning, and local police enforcement. Each comune is governed by a mayor (sindaco) and a council (consiglio comunale), with administrative offices typically located in the central settlement. Ostellato belongs to the Province of Ferrara (provincia di Ferrara), which serves as an intermediate level of government between the comune and the regional administration. The Province of Ferrara coordinates regional services, maintains provincial roads, and represents local interests to the regional and national governments. Italy's administrative hierarchy flows from the national government in Rome to the 20 regions, then to the 110 provinces, and finally to the approximately 7,900 comuni distributed throughout the country. ### Population and Demographics The population of Ostellato has been recorded at several data points, with figures of 6,129, 6,030, and 5,604 residents. These numbers reflect the municipality's status as a small-to-medium sized comune, typical of the many rural and semi-rural communities that dot the Italian peninsula. The population level indicates Ostellato serves as a local service center rather than a major urban center. The demographic composition of Ostellato reflects broader trends in Italian rural communities, including an aging population and the challenges of maintaining services in areas with slower population growth. The municipality's administrative boundaries encompass multiple settlements, meaning the total population within the comune includes residents of the outlying villages as well as those living in the central town. ### Constituent Settlements and Villages Ostellato's municipal territory includes several distinct settlements, each with its own identity and, in some cases, historical significance: **Medelana** is identified as a village within the Italian municipality of Ostellato. Like many Italian villages, Medelana likely developed as an agricultural settlement, with residents historically engaged in farming and related activities supported by the fertile Po Valley land. **Dogato** similarly functions as a village within Ostellato's municipal boundaries. These smaller settlements typically developed around parish churches, historical centers, and agricultural infrastructure, forming the traditional pattern of Italian rural settlement. **Rovereto** is another village located within the Ostellato municipality. The name "Rovereto" is common throughout Italy and typically indicates a location surrounded by or associated with oak trees (rovere in Italian). **San Vito** represents a settlement named after Saint Vitus (San Vito in Italian), following the common Italian tradition of naming villages after patron saints. This settlement pattern reflects the deep integration of religious and civic life in Italian history. **San Giovanni** is also located within Ostellato's jurisdiction, named after Saint John (San Giovanni), likely referencing either a church dedicated to the saint or a historical event associated with the saint's feast day. **Libolla** is classified as a human settlement in Italy and falls within Ostellato's municipal boundaries. Like the other villages, Libolla contributes to the overall character and community structure of the comune. ### Regional Context: Emilia-Romagna and the Province of Ferrara Ostellato's location within the Province of Ferrara places it in one of Italy's most historically and economically significant regions. Emilia-Romagna is renowned for its agricultural productivity, particularly in wheat, corn, wine, and dairy products including the famous Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. The region also hosts major industrial centers, including Bologna (the regional capital), Modena, Parma, and Ferrara itself. The Province of Ferrara occupies the eastern portion of Emilia-Romagna, bordering the Adriatic Sea. Ferrara, the provincial capital, is a Renaissance city known for its well-preserved historic center, Castello Estense (Estense Castle), and the Palazzo dei Diamanti. The province is characterized by flat, fertile farmland that has supported agricultural communities for millennia. The relationship between Ostellato and the provincial capital of Ferrara involves administrative coordination, with residents traveling to Ferrara for specialized services, higher education, healthcare facilities, and cultural activities. This hierarchical relationship between smaller comuni and provincial capitals is fundamental to Italy's system of territorial organization. ### Historical Context of the Comune System The comune system that governs Ostellato represents one of the oldest forms of local government in the Western world. The Italian comune emerged during the medieval period, particularly in northern and central Italy, as communities sought autonomy from feudal lords and bishops. Cities like Bologna, Florence, and Milan developed powerful comuni that became influential political and economic entities. Over the centuries, the comune system evolved while maintaining its fundamental character as a unit of local self-governance. The modern Italian comune, established in its current form following the unification of Italy in the 19th century and refined through constitutional reforms in the 20th century, combines medieval traditions of civic organization with contemporary administrative requirements. Ostellato, as an Italian comune, participates in this long tradition of local governance. The municipality's administrative responsibilities include maintaining civil records (births, deaths, marriages), managing local taxes, operating municipal services, and representing the community's interests to higher levels of government. ### Local Government and Services The municipal government of Ostellato, operating from offices in the central settlement, provides essential services to residents of all constituent villages. These services typically include: - **Civil Registry:** Recording births, deaths, marriages, and changes of residence - **Local Taxation:** Collecting municipal taxes and managing local revenue - **Public Works:** Maintaining municipal roads, public buildings, and infrastructure - **Urban Planning:** Managing zoning, building permits, and land use - **Local Police:** Enforcing municipal ordinances and traffic regulations - **Social Services:** Coordinating welfare programs and community services The municipality's website (http://www.comune.ostellato.fe.it) serves as a digital portal for accessing these services, reflecting modern efforts to improve government transparency and citizen engagement. ### Relationship to National and Regional Government Ostellato exists within a hierarchical system of Italian territorial administration. At the national level, the Italian Constitution establishes the framework for local government, with Article 114 and subsequent articles defining the roles and responsibilities of comuni, provinces, metropolitan cities, and regions. The regional government of Emilia-Romagna (Regione Emilia-Romagna) holds legislative and administrative authority over matters not reserved to the national government, including regional planning, transportation, environmental protection, and cultural affairs. The region allocates resources and implements policies that affect Ostellato and other comuni within its territory. At the provincial level, the Province of Ferrara coordinates services that require coordination across multiple comuni, including provincial road networks, school systems, and statistical services. The provincial government represents local interests to the regional and national authorities. ### Cultural and Social Life The multiple settlements within Ostellato's municipal boundaries create a layered community structure. Each village (Medelana, Dogato, Rovereto, San Vito, San Giovanni, Libolla) likely maintains its own parish church, community center, and local traditions, while the central settlement of Ostellato provides shared services and facilities. Italian rural communities are characterized by strong social cohesion, with local festivals, religious celebrations, and community events playing important roles in neighborhood life. The patron saint festivals (feste patronali) celebrated in each settlement reflect the Catholic tradition that has shaped Italian culture for centuries. ### Economic Character The economy of Ostellato and surrounding area is historically based on agriculture, with the fertile Po Valley supporting grain crops, vegetables, and livestock. The region's agricultural productivity has made Emilia-Romagna one of Italy's wealthiest regions, with a diverse economy that includes food processing, manufacturing, and services. Modern Ostellato likely maintains connections to the agricultural sector while also participating in the broader economic life of the Ferrara province. The municipality's small population suggests a primarily residential character, with residents commuting to larger centers for work or operating small businesses in the local area. ### Infrastructure and Connectivity The municipality's coordinates (44.7284469° N, 11.970556° E) indicate its position within the Po Valley's network of roads and railways. The region is well-connected by the Italian highway system (Autostrada del Sole, A1) and regional roads that link smaller communities to larger urban centers. Residents of Ostellato have access to services in Ferrara and other nearby cities, including the Ferrara railway station (Stazione di Ferrara) connecting to the national rail network. The proximity to the Adriatic coast also provides access to coastal amenities and the port of Ravenna. ### Digital Presence and Transparency Ostellato maintains an official web presence at http://www.comune.ostellato.fe.it, consistent with modern Italian government practices of providing online access to municipal services and information. This digital presence facilitates communication between the municipal government and citizens, improves administrative efficiency, and supports transparency in local governance. The municipality's Wikipedia article (sitelink count: 51) indicates a moderate level of online documentation and visibility, typical of Italian comuni with populations in the several thousand range. ## References 1. Indice alfabetico di tutti i luoghi dello Stato Pontificio 2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 3. Italian National Institute of Statistics 4. [Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018. Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2018/index3.html) 5. [Source](https://demo.istat.it/?l=it) 6. [Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011. Italian National Institute of Statistics](https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/156224) 7. Wiki Loves Monuments Italia 8. Seismic classification in Italy 9. [Source](https://rischi.protezionecivile.gov.it/it/sismico/attivita/classificazione-sismica)