The Orbetello Lagoon, since 1916, was considered a favorable field for aviation. The Idroscalo is located in the same area as the ancient "Glacis" which, at the time of the Spanish fortifications, was an entrenched field. Designed by the architect Pier Luigi Nervi, in a few years it was transformed into one of the best equipped airports in the country: from here departed the Atlantic Cruises of the Royal Air Force. The evaluation criteria that decided the choice of Orbetello as the seat of the Idroscalo included requirements such as a shallow body of water with a calm wave regime, affected by prevailing winds in a south-west north-easterly direction.
The infrastructure soon assumed international importance and, between 1927 and 1933, was the starting point for the Atlantic crossings of Italo Balbo, the four cruises that marked a milestone in the history of world aviation. In 1931 it received official recognition, with the establishment of the High Sea Air Navigation School.
During the Second World War, the seaplane was destroyed by the German occupation forces (1944), so much so that after the war, instead of proceeding with reconstruction, it was decided to transform it into a city park, called Parco delle Crociere.