DePortibus – International Festival of Ports
The festival of ports connecting the world, in Ravenna
About DePortibus
DePortibus, when the port becomes a festival
There is a city in Emilia-Romagna that in 2026 proclaimed itself the Italian Capital of the Sea, and it is no coincidence that Ravenna hosted the second edition of DePortibus – International Festival of Ports. Born in La Spezia in 2024 with the formula of a travelling festival that changes host city with each edition, DePortibus took place in the Romagna capital from May 21st to 23rd, 2026, focusing national and international attention for three days on the role of ports as infrastructures connecting economies, people, and cultures.
Two Souls: Connections and Footprints
The program, with over thirty events, is divided into two complementary sections. Connections is the technical, political, and institutional dimension of the festival: round tables, conferences, and meetings that bring together port authorities, businesses, academia, and representatives of Italian and European institutions to discuss port reform, energy transition, the blue economy, and territorial development. Footprints, on the other hand, is the educational and popular soul, a widespread festival in the city's symbolic locations featuring talks, book presentations, guided tours, workshops, exhibitions, and shows designed for the general public.
The festival's locations in the city
The pulsating heart of the event is the Artificerie Almagià, the venue for the main conferences and keynotes, while the Darsena di Ravenna hosts the grand spectacular finale. The festival then branches out into numerous city spaces: Casa Matha for talks and presentations, the Teatro Dante Alighieri for concerts, the MAR – Museum of Art of the city, the National Museum of Underwater Activities, and the port area of Porto Corsini, where the new cruise terminal is under construction. A route that links Ravenna's Byzantine historic center to its maritime and industrial vocation.
A major event for the city and Province
Promoted by the Port System Authority of the Central-Northern Adriatic Sea in collaboration with the Emilia-Romagna Region, the Province of Ravenna, and the Municipality of Ravenna, DePortibus is much more than an industry conference: it is an opportunity to tell a wide audience about the deep connection between a city and its port. With the High Patronage of the European Parliament and the support of the relevant ministries, the event confirms Ravenna as one of the strategic hubs of Adriatic and Mediterranean port activity.
DePortibus — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of DePortibus brought over thirty events to Ravenna spread over three days, each with a thematic focus: the Mediterranean as a geopolitical asset on Thursday, port reform on Friday, and the blue economy on Saturday morning. Between conferences at Artificerie Almagià, book presentations at Casa Matha, exhibitions, guided tours of the port and the new cruise terminal construction site in Porto Corsini, the festival combined technical reflection with cultural dissemination. The program was promoted by the Port System Authority of the Central-Northern Adriatic Sea with the Emilia-Romagna Region, the Province, and the Municipality of Ravenna.
Programme DePortibus 2026
Thursday, May 21 – Mediterranean and Geopolitics
- 09:30 AM – Inauguration with the Municipal Band at Artificerie Almagià
- Conferences on the port as a geopolitical asset, the Mediterranean, and national security, with guests such as Dario Fabbri, Admiral Giuseppe De Giorgi, and Admiral Pierpaolo Ribuffo
- 04:00 PM – Book presentation L'arte di nuotare with Carola Barbero
- 06:00 PM – Presentation of Tutte le perle del mondo with Maria Giuseppina Muzzarelli
- Preview tour of the new cruise terminal construction site in Porto Corsini
Friday, May 22 – Port Reform
- 09:30 AM – Keynote by the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Edoardo Rixi on port reform
- Debates with port presidents, terminal operators, and shipowners; round tables on cruises, tourism, and innovation
- The Ravenna Music Race, an 8 km run accompanied by live music
- 10:00 PM – Concert by Olen Cesari with the International Clandestine Orchestra at the Teatro Dante Alighieri
Saturday, May 23 – Blue Economy
- Round table Ports, Manufacturing, and Production Chains
- Panel on port professions, training, and inclusion
- 10:00 PM – Grand finale in the Darsena di Ravenna: choreography of luminous drones, fireworks, and live performance by the La Corelli Orchestra conducted by Maestro Jacopo Rivani
Impronte Section – The Widespread Festival
- Visits to the MAR with the Collection of Contemporary Mosaics and mosaic workshops with the RavennAntica Foundation
- Exhibition Fronte marittimo at Casa Matha and photographic exhibition Relitto Paguro at the National Museum of Underwater Activities
- Physical theatre and object theatre in collaboration with the Festival Arrivano dal Mare!
- Accessible sailing TUTTINBARCABILI at Marina di Ravenna
Highlights DePortibus 2026
Prices DePortibus 2026
Practical information — DePortibus
How to get there
Ravenna is reachable by train (central station connected to Bologna, Ferrara, and Rimini) and by car via the A14 motorway (Ravenna exit) and the Adriatic state road. The nearest airport is Bologna (BLQ), about an hour and a half away. The Artificerie Almagià and the Darsena are located in the recently redeveloped former industrial area, a short distance from the historic center.
Admission and bookings
Most events in the educational section, Impronte, are free to attend; booking may be required for conferences, guided tours, and some shows. Full program, times, and participation details are available on the official website www.deportibus.it and via email at [email protected].
Where to stay
Ravenna offers numerous accommodations in the center and along the coast (Marina di Ravenna, Porto Corsini, Punta Marina). Advance booking is recommended during the festival days.
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Where does it take place — DePortibus
Artificerie Almagià e Darsena di Ravenna
Via dell'Almagià 2, 48122 Ravenna