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Sea Wedding

Sea Wedding

581th edition. This celebration has been going on in Cervia ever since 1445. The ancient rite and tradition.

The Ancient Rite of the Wedding of the Sea

Friday 30th May - Sunday 1st June 2025

Exhibitions, culture, gastronomy for a weekend of tradition.

 

Host city for 2025: Pinzolo - Madonna di Campiglio

Ilary Fontana and Serio Goffi, both from the Cerviaman sports group, will lead the historical procession.

How to watch the event:
--> two screens, one in Piazza Garibaldi and one near the Tourist Port, on the D'Annunzio Promenade, where the event filmed for live Facebook coverage will be broadcast.
--> board the motor vessels accompanying the procession at sea


MOTOR VESSEL TICKET

to attend the ceremony at sea on Sunday 12th May

LANDING Porto Canale - Cervia side
from 5 to 5.30 p.m.

Scheduled departure at 6 p.m.

Sea Wedding, the ring


How did the ancient rite come about?

The story, from which the celebration is inspired, features Pietro Barbo, Bishop of Cervia, who later became Pope Paul II.

On Ascension Day 1445, while returning from Venice, he was surprised by a storm at sea. The story tells that the bishop calmed the waters, thus bringing ship and crew to safety, after having thrown his ring into the sea.

Even today, Cervia relives the atmosphere, preserving its memory and traditions.

 

Cervia, Sea Wedding, launch of the ring into the sea - Ph. Mario Rebeschini

Cervia, Marriage of the Sea 2025, poster


Programme 2025

Friday 30th May

Concert for the 581st anniversary of the Marriage of the Sea

Piazza Garibaldi
9 p.m.

The Grande Orchestra Città di Cervia brings its repertoire to the stage of the historic square in Cervia.

In case of bad weather, the concert will be held at the Walter Chiari Municipal Theatre.

ondina

Saturday 31st May

Wedding Ring Ceremony

PIAZZA GARIBALDI
11 p.m.

Exchange of gifts with the host city Pinzolo-Madonna di Campiglio.

Presentation of the Cervia athletes who will play the role of the Lady of the Ring and the Podestà: Ilary Fontana and Serio Goffi, belonging to the Cerviaman sports group.

In case of bad weather the ceremony is in the Municipal Theatre Walter Chiari - Via XX Settembre 125

ondina

Sunday 1st June

Ring Trophy

PIAZZALE DEI SALINARI
10 a.m.

Archery tournament
Organised by the City of Rimini Archers Company named Seven Arrows

 

Sea and Fishing' heritage walk

Meeting point at San Michele Tower
10.30 a.m.

organised by the F.E.S.T.A Association

 

Cervia in the past between tradition and folklore

GARIBALDI SQUARE
4.00 p.m.

Performance by the group of flag-wavers, musicians and standard bearers, representing the Palio del Niballo di Faenza, in collaboration with the Municipality of Faenza, and parade of figures in historical costumes.

 

RITES OF THE RING

Traditional Mass of the Ring

GARIBALDI SQUARE
4.30 pm pm

Archbishop Lorenzo Ghizzoni blesses the ring that will be thrown into the sea.
Musical accompaniment by the Ad Novas Choir.

 

Ring Parade

Departure from GARIBALDI SQUARE
5.15 pm

Procession in historical costume through the streets of the centre to the Lungomare (waterfront promenade) and the canal port.
Special participation by Ilary Fontana and Serio Goffi as the Lady of the Ring and the Podestà.

Cervia - Sea Wedding 2021, Lady of the Ring

Cockaigne on the water

CANAL PORT

9.00 p.m.


Embarkation for the ceremony and exit to the sea

from 5 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. - scheduled departure at 6 p.m.

Motorboat tickets

All proceeds will be donated to charity.
In the event of bad weather there is no refund.


INFORMATION

IAT Torre San Michele Office - via Evangelisti 4, Cervia,
tel. +39 0544 974400 -


 Programmes and dates are subject to change

Logo Visit Romagna Logo APT - Visit Emilia Romagna

When

Friday 30th May - Sunday 1st June 2025

Luogo

Town historical centre and canal harbour

Cervia - Piazza Garibaldi, Viale Roma, Via Nazario Sauro

Chiudi menu
Tourist Information

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