May 8 - May 9, 2026
Cervia, Milano Marittima
Night of Fortresses
The event Night of Fortresses returns to Cervia, as part of the European project FORTITUDE, focused on the development of sustainable cultural tourism and connecting more than 50 sites across 8 countries and 40 cities, including coastal and inland fortresses, castles, museums, galleries, and fortified towns.
The aim is to raise awareness among visitors about tourism and sustainable practices, and to encourage active participation in protecting the environment and cultural heritage.
An opportunity to present Cervia in a new way – through special free guided tours – highlighting the historical meanings that symbolic places have taken on over time, such as the city’s Quadrilateral, itself a fortification created to protect salt, the precious “white gold”, the San Michele Tower, the Second World War bunkers, and the history of the city’s foundation preserved at the MUSA Salt Museum.
Programme free guided tour:
Friday, May 8
1st session: 7:00–8:15 pm
2nd session: 8:30–9:30 pm
Meeting point: Viale Oriani corner Viale 2 Giugno – ferry level (Milano Marittima side)
Itinerary:
Opening by historian Luca Bagnolini: “From ashes to unity: the birth of the European Union.”
Followed by a walk discovering hidden and unusual details of recent history along the evocative Milano Marittima seafront.
The experience includes entry into the large Regelbau 668 WWII bunker, accompanied by the CRB 360° Association.
Max. 25 participants per session
Free tour – booking required
+39 0544.724.24
info@discovercervia.com
New Cervia: history and secrets of a unique fortification
7:15–8:45 pm
Meeting point: MUSA Salt Museum, V.le Nazario Sauro, 24 - Cervia
Itinerary:
The tour begins at the Salt Museum, with the introduction “from the fortification of the old city to Cervia New City”.
Continue with the guided visit to the Quadrilateral of Cervia, a truly unique urban fortification. Along the route, we will walk through stories and anecdotes of everyday life, meeting characters and curiosities that tell the past and present of the city.
Starting from the Salt Warehouses Torre and Darsena, ancient guardians of the “white gold” of Cervia, we will move towards the San Michele Tower, the houses of the salt workers, the bastions of the city, discovering hidden corners and unusual details.
Visit in collaboration with the Cervia theatre company “Nati per caso”.
Max. 25 participants
Free tour – booking required
+39 0544.724.24
info@discovercervia.com
Saturday, May 9
- 6:15–7:00 pm
Meeting Point: Hotel Aurelia
The evening opens with the conference “The bunkers of the Second World War on the Adriatic Coast. Research between war archaeology and contemporary archaeology” by the Unibo researchers Federico Orsacchi, Luca Fraternale and Marianna Bucchioni.
Keeping alive the history and events that characterized the war period in order to provide reflections, looking at the past in a critical and conscious way to interpret the present. - 7:00 - 7:40 pm
Aperitif on site
An informal and interactive moment during which the public will be able to talk with the researchers and exchange questions, curiosities and reflections. - 7:40 - 8:40 pm
Visit to the Bunkers and the Dragon’s Teeth
Continue with a walk discovering hidden and unusual details of recent history, in the evocative setting of the seafront of Milano Marittima. The experience will be enriched by the possibility of entering the large Regelbau 668 bunker of the Second World War, accompanied by the CRB 360° Association.
Free tour – booking required
+39 0544.724.24
info@discovercervia.com
New Cervia: history and secrets of a unique fortification
7:15–8:45 pm
Meeting point: MUSA Salt Museum, V.le Nazario Sauro, 24 - Cervia
Itinerary:
The tour begins at the Salt Museum, with the introduction “from the fortification of the old city to Cervia New City”.
Continue with the guided visit to the Quadrilateral of Cervia, a truly unique urban fortification. Along the route, we will walk through stories and anecdotes of everyday life, meeting characters and curiosities that tell the past and present of the city.
Starting from the Salt Warehouses Torre and Darsena, ancient guardians of the “white gold” of Cervia, we will move towards the San Michele Tower, the houses of the salt workers, the bastions of the city, discovering hidden corners and unusual details.
Visit in collaboration with the Cervia theatre company “Nati per caso”.
Max. 25 participants
Free tour – booking required
+39 0544.724.24
info@discovercervia.com
Friday 8 May and Saturday 9 May
MUSA Salt Museum
V.le Nazario Sauro, 24 - Cervia
6:00–10:00 pm
Extraordinary opening with free admission – reservation is not required
The event is part of the European project FORTIC – From remains Of the war to the aRchiTecture of peace in cross-border area of Italy-Croatia.
The aim is to strengthen the role of cultural heritage linked to fortifications and defence remains of the Adriatic cross-border area, to develop sustainable tourism based on innovative digital solutions and new inclusive development models.
Bookings for visits:
IAT Cervia
tel. +39 0544 974400
info@discovercervia.com
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