Cervia

Cervia
—  Comune  —
Comune di Cervia
Town Hall.
Coat of arms
Cervia Location of Cervia in Italy
Coordinates: 44°15′N 12°22′E / 44.25°N 12.367°E / 44.25; 12.367Coordinates: 44°15′N 12°22′E / 44.25°N 12.367°E / 44.25; 12.367
Country	Italy
Region	Emilia-Romagna
Province	Province of Ravenna (RA)
Frazioni	Cannuzzo, Castiglione di Cervia, Milano Marittima, Montaletto, Pinarella, Pisignano, Savio di Cervia, Tagliata, Terme, Villa Inferno
Government
- Mayor	Roberto Zoffoli
Area
- Total	82 km2 (31.7 sq mi)
Elevation	3 m (10 ft)
Population (30 June 2008)[1]
- Total	28,252
- Density	344.5/km2 (892.3/sq mi)
Demonym	Cervesi
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
- Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	48015, 48016, 48010
Dialing code	0544
Patron saint	Saint Paternian
Saint day	13 November
Website	Official website

Cervia is a town and comune (municipality) in the province of Ravenna (Emilia-Romagna), central Italy.

History

Originally called Ficocle, it was probably of Greek origin and was located midway from current Cervia and Ravenna. It is known that this originary settlement was destroyed in 709 by patrician Theodore for its alliance with Ravenna against the loyal Byzantines.

Later the centre was rebuilt in a more secure position, in the Salina. This medieval city grew until it was provided with three fortified entrances, a Palaces of Priors, seven churches and a castle (Rocca) which, according to the legend, was built by Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. The name also changed from Ficocle to Cervia, probably referring to the Acervi, great amounts of salt left in the local evaporation pods. After a long series of events, it became part of the Papal States.

As the time passed, the salt pod turned into a marsh, and on November 9, 1697 Pope Innocent XII ordered it to be rebuilt in a safer location. The new city had huge silos for storage of salt, containing up to 13,000 tons.

Cervia is also mentioned in Dante's Divine Comedy (Inferno, Canto XXVII, lines 40–42).

Nowadays Cervia is a seaside resort on the Adriatic Riviera thanks to its 10 km shore characterised by sandy beaches.

Main sights

• The Cathedral (Santa Maria Assunta), built in 1699–1702.
• The Museum of Salt
• The Communal Palace
• St. Michael Tower

Transportation

Twin towns

• Jelenia Góra, Poland
• Mahón, Spain
• Cluj-Napoca, Romania

See also

• Diocese of Cervia

Notes and references

1. ^ Dati statistici sulla popolazione

External links

• Riviera di Cervia
• www.cervia.com