Begin your explorations of historic Cervia at Piazza Garibaldi. The great square, flanked by landmark buildings, dates back to the beginnings of the New Town in 1697. Enjoy the atmosphere, see the historic architecture and sip a coffee on the terrace of one of the cafés.
Two of the city’s most iconic buildings, Cervia Town Hall and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, stand facing each other on Piazza Garibaldi. These two impressive buildings make for a pretty backdrop to this historic quarter of the town. The piazza, which was originally paved with river pebbles, was the civil and religious core of the town thanks to these two impressive buildings. Pay a visit to the cathedral to appreciate its famous paintings and its wonderful architecture. The cathedral has stood for several centuries, as work began on its construction in 1699.
In 1880 the City Council began digging an artesian well in Piazza Garibaldi to prevent the residents from having to get their water from unhygienic cisterns. After 2 years, the diggers reached a depth of 328 feet (100 meters) and a spout of water shot into the air. Imagine, as you wander the square, the jubilation felt by the townspeople at this moment. Spend a while admiring the lovely fountain.
Piazza Garibaldi is at the heart of the city’s culture and throughout the year it hosts festivals, concerts and even sporting events. The famous Giro D’Italia cycling race once passed through here. Use the town’s official website to see upcoming events and plan to spend a delightful evening listening to music or attending a festival.
When there isn’t an event on, Piazza Garibaldi is still a great place to come on a balmy afternoon or evening to people-watch, have a coffee and savor Italian pastries in one of the cafés which dot the edges of the square.
Piazza Garibaldi is located in the heart of Cervia and makes for a good starting point on any tour of the city. It is easy to reach on foot from around the town. Stay nearby and you will be well placed to explore many of the town’s top attractions.
