Cervia Thistle Festival

A festival that tells the story of Cervia

The Thistle Festival is one of the most cherished winter food and wine events on the Romagna coast. It takes place in the heart of the municipality of Cervia, in the province of Ravenna, in Emilia-Romagna, and celebrates a high-quality local product: the "cardo gobbo" (hunchback thistle), a variety of the giant Romagna thistle recognized as a Traditional Agri-food Product (PAT).

The "cardo gobbo", a unique vegetable

The vegetable's name comes from its particular cultivation technique: during the cold months, the plant is bent towards the ground and buried under the sea sand, taking on the characteristic "hunchback" curve. This laborious and artisanal process removes the bitter aftertaste from the thistle, making it sweet, white, and crunchy. Cultivated in limited quantities, the "cardo gobbo" is also appreciated for its purifying and antioxidant properties, and it represents one of the excellences of Cervia's peasant tradition.

Two weekends of celebration

The event spans two weekends and transforms the historic center into a large culinary journey. The heart of the festival is in Piazzetta Pisacane, where the stage and food stalls managed by restaurateurs and businesses from Cervia and surrounding areas are located. They offer traditional recipes and reinterpretations based on thistle: fried thistle, crostini, first courses, and other specialties. The festival also extends to Piazza Garibaldi, Corso Mazzini, and Viale Roma with markets selling typical products and handicrafts.

Program and atmosphere

• Cooking shows and culinary demonstrations with local products
• Concerts and live music in the afternoon
• Interviews and stories with local producers and businesses
• Market of typical products and handicrafts
• Tasting experiences dedicated to the "cardo gobbo"

Alongside the street festival, the region also offers a thistle culinary circuit involving restaurants in Cervia, Cesenatico, Forlimpopoli, and Roncofreddo, with events continuing for several weeks after the festival.

An event for the region

Organized by the Cervia Centro Consortium together with the Accademia del Cardo (Thistle Academy), the Thistle Festival is an opportunity to visit Cervia in winter, discover its gastronomic tradition, and experience the authentic atmosphere of a seaside town out of season.