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Musa nativity scenes

Musa nativity scenes

Three different and original cribs to represent Nativity

Presepe di Sale a Musa

Salt Nativity scene

This unique nativity is made of naturally crystalized saltpan water. The 40 cm- tall figures represent the Holy Family, ox and donkey.

A salt Nativity scene is practically a must. The composition was built in the past using a very difficult manual technique. The sculptures in the nativity were created in 1992 by Agostino Finchi, an elderly salt worker, whose dexterity and passion are reflected in the fifteen figures of this classic nativity scene.

The statues are between 10 and 40 centimeters and have been created by hand out of crystallized salt. The technique used to create the statues is very difficult and requires a lot of patience and care, including daily correcting of the crystallization process.

The entire nativity scene is kept at the MUSA, Salt Museum in a glass case that protects it from temperature fluctuations and especially humidity.

Presepe dei salinari

Saltworkers's Nativity scene

The Salt Museum houses also the Saltworks Nativity scene set in the typical rush hut of salt workers with life-size statues inside of Mary, Jesus and Saint Joseph; these figures complete the other figures already housed at the museum.

These statues made of terracotta, molded over a metal frame, are in fact part of a series of creations that represent the saltworks in action and the figures of salt life, which are on display all year long thanks to the idea (and with the collaboration) of the founding partners of the Cultural Group of the Saltworks Civilization. The whole series was created and fired in the 1980s by Paolo Onestini, son of Giacomo Onestini, the famous Cervia ceramist.

You can admire a financer in his position inside the sentry box, a salt worker who is pushing a wheelbarrow and using a skeet, an instrument used for moving water from one basin to another. Lastly, the figures are clothed in period costumes created with great passion by a Cervia housewife.

Presepe meccanico della città del sale

Animated Nativity scene

A very original animated Nativity scene, which shows typical Cervia places and charachters, has been recently given to Musa by the family of its builder, Mario Boselli. Besides the most common trades, there are also typical activities depicted such as fishermen with rods on the “palèda” of the port and loggers cutting down pine trees. The building of this traditional and mechanical masterpiece took twenty years of patience and precision.

When

from 8th December 2023 to 7th January 2024

Opening

  • from 8th to 17th December 2023
    Saturday, Sunday and non-working days from 2.30 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
  • from 20th December to 7th January 2024
    every day from 2.30 to 7.00 p.m.

Luogo

Musa - Salt Museum

Cervia - Magazzino del Sale Torre, Via Nazario Sauro 24

Price

Included in the Museum entrance ticket

  • full ticket € 2,00
  • reduced ticket € 1,00: boys and girls from 13 to 18 years

Free admission

  • children up to 12 years
  • disabled people with a helper
  • tourist guides
  • interpreter attending a group
  • every first Sunday of the month

Information office

Tourist Information Office - Cervia
Cervia
Torre San Michele, Via Arnaldo Evangelisti 4
0544 977194
Chiudi menu
Tourist Information

www.turismo.comunecervia.it - #VisitCervia - iatcervia@cerviaturismo.it - +39 0544 974400