Cervia

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Comune di Cervia
Coat of arms of Comune di Cervia
Municipal coat of arms

Location of Cervia in Italy
Country Flag of Italy Italy
Region Emilia-Romagna
Province Province of Ravenna (RA)
Elevation 3 m (10 ft)
Area 82 km² (32 sq mi)
Population (as of 31-12-06)
 - Total 27493 [1]
 - Density [n.a.]
Time zone CET, UTC+1
Coordinates 44°15′0″N, 12°22′0″E
Gentilic Cervesi
Dialing code 0544
Postal code 48015, 48016, 48010
Frazioni Località - Cannuzzo, Castiglione di Cervia, Milano Marittima, Montaletto, Pinarella, Pisignano, Savio, Tagliata, Terme, Villa Inferno
Patron Saint Paternian
 - Day 13 November
Website: http://www.comunecervia.it/

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

Contents

[edit] 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.

Until 1947 it was the seat of the diocese of Cervia. This was the diocese of the famous thirteenth century bishop and surgeon Theodoric Borgognoni.

Cervia is also mentioned in Dante's Divine Comedy:

Ravenna sta come stata è molt'anni:
l'aguglia da Polenta la si cova,
sì che Cervia ricuopra co' suoi vanni.

Ravenna is as it has been for many years
the da Polenta eagle makes its nest there,
Enclosing Cervia under its wings.
(Inferno, Canto XXVII, lines 40-42)

[edit] Main sights

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

[edit] Transportation

[edit] External links

[edit] Notes and references

  1. ^ Dati statistici sulla popolazione


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Emilia-Romagna · Comuni of the Province of Ravenna
Emilia-Romagna Province of Ravenna
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