Sea Wedding
A very old and traditional event, it is one of the most beloved in the town. It has now come to its 577th edition but its ancient rite celebration at the sea and its fishing-of-the-ring challange, where young Cervia residents try to get the "trophy" bringing good luck and prosperity have lost none of their atmosphere.
This important event, one of the oldest in Italy, returns on 16th May. The Archbishop of the Diocese of Ravenna and Cervia goes out to sea on a fishing boat, blesses the Adriatic Sea and gives a gold ring to the waters, continuing the vow made in 1445 by the then Bishop of Cervia Pietro Barbo who, according to legend, found himself in a storm on his return from Venice and pledged his pastoral ring, asking the waters to calm down.
An event with an ancient flavour that involves the whole town and that on Sunday starts from Cervia's main square, Piazza Garibaldi, where the historical procession is formed, with lords, bishops, ladies and mayors parading in sumptuous period costumes, accompanying the ring that will be thrown as a pledge to the sea in the historic ceremony of the "marriage of the town with the waters of the Adriatic".
A new look for the historical procession
For the 2021 edition, the creation of new clothes and accessories by skilled artisans from Bologna and Venice theatre tailors will further enhance the intangible cultural heritage that this event represents for Cervia.
As a result of careful research, new costumes have been made that are true to the historical period represented.
Among the characters: the Doge of Venice Francesco Foscari, Novello Malatesta, then Lord of Cervia, with his wife Violante da Montefeltro, the Podestà of Cervia and the Lady of the Ring who will wear a dress with gold embroidered decorations and a cloak with a train of more than 5 metres that will be supported by two ladies.
The procession, made up of institutional representatives, historical figures, banners and citizens, will head towards the canal port for one of the most eagerly awaited moments of the event, the gift of the ring to the sea by the Archbishop and the city authorities.
As is traditional every year, young swimmers will compete to fish out the ring that will bring good luck for a whole year to the whole town and to whoever manages to retrieve it.
The date of the festival is engraved on the inside of the golden ring, which will remain in the possession of the cleverest swimmer, while long ribbons, one tricolour and one with the colours of Cervia, yellow and blue, will allow the user to follow the trajectory during the launch into the sea.
Sunday 16th May - Ring rituals
Ancient rite of blessing the Adriatic Sea and throwing the ring into its waves by the Bishop
For further information
Contacts
When
on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th May 2021
Luogo
Town historical centre
Cervia
Free
Yes
Official Tourist Information Site of Cervia