In 1385, in Ferrara, there was a full-fledged revolt of the population against the then Este Marquis, caused by yet another tax increase. The Giudice dei Savi, in charge of taxes, was killed by the mob, his corpse mangled. Later, Marquis Niccolò II had the rebels hanged and began the construction of a fortress, which over the centuries became the Castello Estense, the residence of the Dukes. The imbarcaderi, located at the level of the moat, functioned as warehouses and as accesses to the piers from which people could set sail to reach the urban residences and delights, thanks to the system of canals with which the city was equipped.
Today, the boardwalks, thanks to their simple but valuable architectural features such as the mighty barrel vaults and terracotta tile floors, are used as meeting rooms, exhibition and event venues.
