Poggio Renatico
Poggio Renatico (Poggese: ; Ferrarese: ) is a "comune" (municipality) in the Province of Ferrara in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna, located about northeast of Bologna and about southwest of Ferrara. Poggio Renatico borders on the following municipalities: Baricella, Ferrara, Galliera, Malalbergo, Terre del Reno, Vigarano Mainarda. History. During the Middle Ages, the region of Poggio Renatico was fortified by the rulers of Bologna through a discontinuous line of towers and castles that provided exclusive control of fishing and river trade and protection against the expansionist intentions of neighboring Ferrara. About outside Poggio Renatico is one of the Italian Air  Force's biggest radar stations, which was formerly used to monitor air traffic over Yugoslavia and southern Warsaw Pact countries. In 2010, NATO controlled its air forces in southern Europe from the Poggio Renatico radar base, and in March 2010 it provided military control over the airspace between the Danube delta and the Atlantic Ocean. In May 2011, this Italian Air Force radar station was used by NATO as the nerve center for coordinating air strikes during the Libyan Civil War. Poggio Renatico was hit by the 2012 Emilia earthquakes which caused the Lambertini Castle clock tower to collapse. The  earthquake also damaged the dome and bell tower of the Abbey Church of St. Michael the Archangel. On 4 June 2012 (several weeks after the earthquake) the steeple of the church was demolished with explosives.