Marriage of the sea

Lo sposalizio del mare | © Archivio Cervia

Lo sposalizio del mare | © Archivio Cervia

Lo sposalizio del mare | © Archivio Cervia

Lo sposalizio del mare | © Archivio Cervia

When the people of Cervia began celebrating this event, the town was still located near the salt pans. Legend has it that on Ascension Day in 1445, Bishop Pietro Barbo, returning by sea from an embassy in Venice, found himself caught in a terrible storm, which he calmed by throwing his ring into the sea. Since then, the Marriage of the Sea has been celebrated every year, a festival with which Cervia has renewed its bond with the Adriatic Sea for almost six centuries. It is the longest-running festival in Italy and is still very much alive today. 

In the procession that starts from Piazza Garibaldi, ladies, gentlemen, standard-bearers and podestà dressed in sumptuous period costumes accompany the Archbishop of the Diocese of Ravenna and Cervia to throw the ring into the sea. The costumes of the Lady of the Ring and the Podestà will also be worn by athletes Ilary Fontana and Serio Goffi, both members of the Cerviaman Sports Group.

On board a fishing boat, after pronouncing the ritual words, "... Bless these waters, the ships that sail them, the rowers, the helmsmen, the men, the goods...', the Archbishop throws the ring of my Cervia into the sea. Then the swimmers dive in to retrieve it as a sign of good luck for the fishing and the upcoming tourist season.

In 1986, Pope John Paul II celebrated the ceremony. The Pope added new words to the ancient blessing, addressing them to the people across the sea who love peace and harmony. And so the Marriage became a symbol of eternal brotherhood among peoples. Every year, the Marriage of the Sea becomes an opportunity to invite a city with which a special bond is created or renewed. The programme for the 582nd edition is spread over three days: history, culture, gastronomy and entertainment are the ingredients of this traditional festival, much loved by the people of Cervia and appreciated by visitors and tourists alike. The programme for Ascension Sunday will be rich and steeped in tradition. The day is dedicated to the eagerly awaited celebration of the ancient ritual at sea and the ring fishing challenge, where the young people of Cervia compete for the 'trophy' that promises luck and prosperity.