Marsh Herbs Festival

A festival born from the valley civilization

The Marsh Herbs Festival takes place in Villanova di Bagnacavallo, a small hamlet in the Municipality of Bagnacavallo, in the province of Ravenna, in the heart of Bassa Romagna and Emilia-Romagna. Founded in 1984, the event celebrates the ancient civilization of marsh herbs: a world of crafts and knowledge that grew around the valleys and wetlands that once surrounded the village, where communities gathered reeds, cane, bulrushes, and other valley herbs to weave them into baskets, mats, chairs, bags, and everyday objects.

The Ecomuseum of Marsh Herbs

The heart of the festival is the Ecomuseum of Marsh Herbs, located on Via Giuseppe Ungaretti, managed by the Cultural Association Civilization of Marsh Herbs. The museum's route preserves woven artifacts from all over Italy and Europe, as well as sections dedicated to domestic economy, 19th-century typography, and photography. Surrounding the museum, an ethnographic park reconstructs the environments of valley life, making the Ecomuseum a rare bastion of memory of the relationship between humans and the marshland environment.

Exhibitions, demonstrations, and workshops

During the festival days, the town center transforms into a large exhibition market with exhibitors of antiques, modern items, collectibles, works of ingenuity, agricultural producers, and volunteer associations. Along the streets, you can admire:

• live demonstrations by basket makers and weavers who weave reeds and valley herbs;
• workshops dedicated to the processing of marsh herbs, also open to children and families;
• temporary exhibitions on domestic economy and rural traditions;
• the children's market and the traditional flea market in the public park.

Romagna cuisine

The festival is also an opportunity to taste the traditional cuisine of Romagna: cappelletti, strozzapreti, platters of cured meats and cheeses, meat main courses, vegetarian dishes, and homemade desserts, accompanied by local wines. There are also themed dinners, such as gastronomic events with wines from the Consorzio il Bagnacavallo and Slow Food dinners that offer authentic valley flavors.

A heritage to preserve

More than just a village festival, the Marsh Herbs Festival is the moment when an entire community renews its bond with its valley past. With free admission, the event attracts visitors, artisans, and folk tradition enthusiasts every year, confirming itself as one of the most identity-rich events in the cultural calendar of Bagnacavallo and Bassa Romagna.