The “Pope’s Salt” of Cervia

Cervia, a small seaside town in southern Emilia-Romagna, is famous for its salt, which is nicknamed the “Pope’s salt” because of the centuries-long tradition of gifting the first harvest to the Pope in Rome each year, a custom that continues today.  

It’s not only the Pope who receives this gift! A kilo bag--roughly 2 pounds--of this precious salt is also given away to the public each year in September.  A small boat arrives at Cervia filled with salt.

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