Discover Cervia: Salt History, Salt Pans and Pine Forest
Accommodation in Cervia
Cervia demonstrates how closely salt pans, the history of the town and regional culture are interconnected. The main attractions are the Salina di Cervia, the Pineta di Cervia e Milano Marittima, the MUSA – Museo del Sale and historic buildings. Together, they make Cervia a destination for nature watching, salt history, walks and cultural discoveries.
File:Trabucco - Cervia, Ravenna, Italy - April 26, 2019.jpg
Photo: Giorgio Galeotti via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Salt Pans and Protected Landscapes
The Salina di Cervia is the southernmost site in the Po Delta Regional Park. The Saline di Cervia area is located in the Po Delta Regional Park and encompasses the entire 830-hectare Saline di Cervia area, designated as a Ramsar wetland, as well as the 789-hectare Saline di Cervia State Nature Reserve.
The Salina di Cervia birdwatching area has observation points, hides, watchtowers and observation huts. The Pineta di Cervia e Milano Marittima is classified as a Site of Community Importance and is also located in the Po Delta Regional Park. A dense network of paths is available there for walks and a wide range of outdoor activities.
Salt History in the Townscape
The MUSA – Museo del Sale is an ethnographic museum housed in the Magazzino del Sale Torre. It documents work in the salt pans, the surrounding area and salt production. Among the objects on display is a burchiella, a flat-bottomed iron boat that was used to transport salt until the end of the 1950s. The archaeological section of MUSA, opened in 2013, houses finds that trace the history of the area.
The Torre San Michele in Cervia’s historic centre dates from 1691; it was built between 1689 and 1691 to protect the town and its salt. The Cattedrale Santa Maria Assunta was built between 1699 and 1702, and Francesco Riccamonti laid its foundation stone. The Magazzino del Sale Darsena is an important example of industrial archaeology and is connected with the tradition of salt production.
Routes and Guided Experiences
The walking tour “Il centro storico di Cervia: dal mare alla salina” leads from the port of Cervia to the Parco Delta del Po station and explores the fishing village and the history of salt. The Centro Visite Salina di Cervia is the starting point for guided tours of the Salina di Cervia. These tours of the Salina are offered on foot, by bicycle and by electric boat.
Regional Products and Markets
Borgomarina – Vetrina di Romagna takes place every Thursday from May to September and includes markets and exhibitions of typical products from Romagna and regional handicrafts. Another combination of landscape, tradition and regional cuisine is Cervia salt, which is recognised as a Slow Food Presidium.
More Destinations
Lido Adriano, Cotignola, San Pietro In Trento, Lido Del Savio, Conselice, Lido Di Dante, Fognano and Porto Corsini
To the higher-level travel overview: Ravenna.
