2 September opening dinner | 4-7 September festival
Cervia
Salt Festival
The Salt Festival takes place every year in September. It's a very significant event for me, because it evokes an important part of my past: the remittance of salt.
At the end of the tiring season of harvesting the white gold, which ended in September, my salt workers would load the salt aboard burchielle, the typical flat-bottomed boats, and transport it along my Porto Canale to the Magazzini for inspection and storage.
Today, this tradition is still repeated as a symbol of my unbreakable bond with the more than 800 hectares of salt pans.
It is a moment of great joy, evoking the festive atmosphere of those days. It is a special occasion to witness this tradition, to discover ancient crafts, also through conferences and exhibitions, and to taste typical local sweet salt products. In short, a festival to be experienced with all five senses!
Moreover, once the salt arrives in front of the warehouses, it is given away as a wish for good luck and prosperity. If you are lucky, you can go home with a bag of the precious white gold, a Slow Food presidium.
Programme (currently being updated)
7:30 pm
Acervum (Via Madonna della Neve 15, Cervia)
Inaugural dinner
Menu at a cost of €60.00:
Welcome: vegetable dip cooked on a sweet Cervia salt tile; starter: mussels, potato and salicornia mousse garnished with tomato sauce with mussels, salicornia and salicornia salt flowers First course: tagliolini with 30 egg yolks, red prawns and lime; main course: steamed Adriatic sole, courgettes, kefir and balsamic salt, courgette sauce, courgette chips, basil oil and sauce; dessert: Mambelli squacquerone semifreddo with Romagna peach compote and ginger
For reservations: +39 054471156
Thursday, 4 September
MUSA-Museo del SaleOpening hours: 8:30 pm - midnight
4:30 pm
Camillone salt pan
Guided tour of the ancient saltworks accompanied by volunteers from the Salinara cultural group
Meeting point at the Saline Visitor Centre (Via Bova, 61)
Cost: € 2,00
5:00 pm
Magazzino del Sale Torre
Exhibition opening: The village of Marina di Cervia, its history, its people
Curated by the La Pantofla Fishing Club of Cervia. On display are restored images of the traditional "vele al terzo" (third-rate sails) of the Cervia and Romagna maritime tradition, recognised as "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity".
5:30 pm
Magazzino del Sale Torre
Thesis presentation by Guido Lombardi
The thesis focuses on the enhancement of the Salina Park, a cost-benefit analysis.
The following will be present: Guido Lombardi, thesis supervisor; Federica Bosi, Councillor for the Municipality of Cervia; Giuseppe Pomicetti, President of the Cervia Salt Pans Park; coordinated by Letizia Magnani, journalist.
7:00 pm
Banchina Portocanale e Piazzale Salinari, Cervia
Official opening of the Festival
With the historic boat I Tre Fratelli and the story of the traditional Salt Festival with the ribbon cutting by Mayor Mattia Missiroli.
to follow
Concerto Europa String Choir
A concert of contemporary chamber music ranging from intricate and touching to shrill and rhythmic, while always maintaining silence as its centre of gravity.
7:30 pm
Acervum (Via Madonna della Neve 15, Cervia)
Sunset with a taste of salt in the heart of the salt pans: cocktails, beer and platters at Sale Dolce di Cervia
8:00 pm
Magazzini del Sale, Cervia
Orange Cassata. The story of an island
Show cooking by Luigi Pecorella, chef at Il Melograno, Trapani.
An elegant interpretation of the traditional cassata, handmade by Pecorella, which, layer after layer, creates a dessert that evokes memories and innovation.
Limited places available, cost € 10. To book click here
Friday, 5 September
MUSA – Museo del Sale
Opening hours: 11.00 am -12.30 pm | 3.00 pm - 7.30 pm | 8.30 pm - midnight
10:30 am
Magazzino del Sale Torre, Cervia
Conference "The Cervia Salt Pans between Present and Future"
Comparison of Italian salt pans with climate change issues, curated by the Cervia Salt Pan Park.
The following will be present: Gianno Grandu, Deputy Mayor of Cervia; Giuseppe Pomicetti, President of the Cervia Salt Pans Park; Luigi Cipriani, Head of Land Management for the Municipality of Cervia; Ciro Zeno, Project Manager for ATS Progetto Salicoltura; General Manager of the Romagna Land Reclamation Consortium; Pier Paolo Alberoni, Head of the Hydrometeorological Unit at ARPA E.R.
Hosted by Letizia Magnani, Communications Manager at Cervia Salt Pan Park
6:00 pm
Magazzino del Sale Torre, Cervia
Awarding of "Civiltà Salinara" scholarships
The Associazione Gruppo Culturale Civiltà Salinara awards scholarships to the two best young graduates of the state exam at the Tonino Guerra Higher Education Institute in Cervia.
7:00 pm
Magazzino del Sale Torre, Cervia
The value of Cervia's Sweet Salt in the food preparations of Il Panaro
The value of Dolce di Cervia salt in Panaro's food preparations. In attendance will be: the owner of the company; Gabriele Armuzzi, Councillor for the Municipality of Cervia; Giuseppe Pomicetti, President of the Cervia Salt Pans Park; coordinated by Letizia Magnani, journalist.
Limited places available. To book click here
This will be followed by a Show cooking with tasting by Matteo Milandri, chef at Casa Artusi.of fried piadina.
7:30 pm
Acervum (Via Madonna della Neve 15, Cervia)
Sunset with a taste of salt in the heart of the salt pans: cocktails, beer and platters at Sale Dolce di Cervia
8:30 pm
Magazzino del Sale Torre, Cervia
Cooked and raw pumpkin, its seeds and Adriatic mussels
Show cooking con degustazione di Matteo Milandri, chef di Casa Artusi.
A journey through the different methods of cooking local and seasonal products, with salt as the fundamental and key ingredient in the recipe.
Limited places available, cost € 10. To book click here
8:45 pm
Opening of the photographic exhibition La Cavèda de Sel
Photographer Dany Fondana captures the city of Cervia in all its forms and colours with around 200 photos.
9:00 pm
Quay Port canal under the San Michele Tower
Gli scaricatori
Acoustic concert by the Romagna trio composed of violin, guitar and percussion. An engaging and exciting journey through the magical synergy of rhythms and historical melodies rearranged for the occasion.
9:30 pm
MUSA – Museo del Sale
Opening of the exhibition Re-Salt. Salt discoveries
Edited by Cristina Fiordimela – LABA – Accademia di Belle Arti Rimini
Free admission
The exhibition will remain open until 2 November during museum opening hours and is included in the admission ticket.
Saturday, 6 September
MUSA – Museo del Sale
Opening hours: 11.00 am -12.30 pm | 3.00 pm - 7.30 pm | 8.30 pm - midnight
10:30 am
Magazzino del Sale Torre, Cervia
Conference "Italian salt pans: guardians of biodiversity"
Curated by the Cervia Salt Pan Park.
Speakers: Mattia Missiroli, Mayor of Cervia; Giuseppe Pomicetti, President of Cervia Saltworks; Lt. Col. Francesco de Santis, Commander of the Punta Marina Forestry Carabinieri Biodiversity Group; Aida Morelli, President of the Po Delta Park E.R.; Lorenzo Serra, ISPRA Emilia-Romagna; Giacomo D'Alì Staiti, President of SoSalt; Bruno Franceschini, President of ATI Sale; Ciro Zeno, engineer; coordinated by Letizia Magnani, journalist.
4:00 pm
Banchina Portocanale e Piazzale Salinari, Cervia
Armeèsa de Sel - Rimessa del Sale
Curated by the Civiltà Salinara Cultural Group
Traditional historical re-enactment of the Rimessa del Sale (Salt Delivery) with the arrival of the Burchiella from the salt pans and the ritual distribution of salt to those present.
5.00 pm
Magazzino del Sale Torre
In the blink of an eye
Nature photography exhibition curated by the Cervese Photography Group: The splendour of nature in the salt marshes, showcasing the power of biodiversity.
6:30 pm
Magazzino del Sale Torre, Cervia
Those of Umbria's unsalted bread. Preview of Conserva 2025
Preview of the Conserva 2025 event in Spoleto with tasting of Strettura bread and Prosciutto di Norcia PGI cut with a knife, accompanied by a tasting of I Sabbioni wines. Organised by the Parco della Salina di Cervia.
Speakers: Mirko Boschetti, Councillor for the Municipality of Cervia; Councillor for the Municipality of Spoleto; Pietro Bellini, President of the Consortium for the Protection of Prosciutto di Norcia PGI; Maurizio Pescari, journalist; Giuseppe Pomicetti, President of the Cervia Saltworks. Moderator: Letizia Magnani, journalist.
Limited places available. To book click here
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Portocanale quay beneath the Tower of St. Michael
Dj Giampi
Vocals and music with the big hits of the summer to get you in the mood for aperitif time.
7:30 pm
Acervum (Via Madonna della Neve 15, Cervia)
Sunset with a taste of salt in the heart of the salt pans: cocktails, beer and platters at Sale Dolce di Cervia
9:00 pm
Piazzale Salinari, Cervia
Fire to the myth
Live demonstration of the traditional cooking of a wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, in collaboration with the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium.
9:00
Magazzino del Sale Torre, Cervia
Marsala, today - Masterclass by Francesco Falcone
Between tradition and innovation, between past and future, a journey into a present full of flavour with 8 great Marsala wines described by Falcone, starting with the oldest (the so-called 'oxidative' wines) and ending with the most current ones, such as whites and sparkling wines.
Limited places available, cost € 45. To book click here.
Sunday 7 Septemper
MUSA – Museo del Sale
Museum opening hours: 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. | 8:30 p.m. to midnight
10:00 am
Torre San Michele, Cervia
Heritage Walk
organised by the FESTA association
10:30 am
Magazzino del Sale Torre, Cervia
Presentation of the book ‘La Pantofla e il Borgo Marina. I 50 anni di storia del Circolo Pescatori di Cervia (1975-2025) (La Pantofla and Borgo Marina. 50 years of history of the Cervia Fishermen's Association (1975-2025))
History, culture and traditions of a seaside town, edited by Gastone Guerrini and Renato Lombardi. Longo Editore, Ravenna, 2025.
Followed by
Screening of the documentary ‘Sapere di mare’ (Knowledge of the sea)
4:30 pm
Salina Camillone
Guided tour of the ancient salt pans accompanied by volunteers from the Gruppo Culturale Civiltà Salinara (Salt Culture Cultural Group)
Meeting point: Saline Visitor Centre (Via Bova, 61)
Cost: €2.00
6:00 pm
The flamingo in the Po Delta Park
Presentation of a photographic book on flamingos in the Po Delta. Speakers: Aida Morelli, President of the Po Delta Park; Massimiliano Costa, Director of the Po Delta Park; Michela Brunelli, Councillor for the Municipality of Cervia; Giuseppe Pomicetti, President of the Cervia Saltworks; Coordinated by Letizia Magnani, journalist.
Book given as a gift to participants
7:00 pm
Magazzino del Sale Torre, Cervia
Zuppa Inglese 3.0
Show Cooking and tasting organised by the Associazione delle Mariette di Forlimpopoli.
The typical dessert of Romagna, revisited by Verdiana Gorini, combining innovation, creativity and tradition.
A glass of wine pairing is included in the tasting.
Limited places available, cost € 10. To book click here
9:00 pm
Portocanale quay under the San Michele Tower
Vasconvolti
Vasco cover band
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