Milano Marittima is a seaside village in Emilia Romagna, which is gaining popularity with tourists. It is set with the pine forest of Cervia. It borders to the north with the town of Lido di Savio and to the south with Cervia. It has long been a holiday spot for Italians in the north, best known for its buzzing nightlife of beach parties.
The history of Milano Marittima begins in the early 1900s. Cervia owes its livelihood mainly to agriculture and the harvesting of salt in the salt pans. From the need of the Milanese to recreate a small holiday Milan, but with a sea view, the idea of Milano Marittima was born. The city is designed in a workmanlike manner, with designs on paper first. Milano Marittima owes its name to the will of the Milanese to recreate the famous Lombard city, but by the sea. Even today, Milano Marittima is one of the most glamorous places on the Romagna Riviera. It shares the taste for fashion, luxury and the pleasure of fun in the same way as Milan does.
Milano Marittima: an up and coming tourist city
Since the sixties, the city is constantly undergoing transformation, changing from a garden city to a widely receptive tourist center. This entails the demolition of numerous historic villas to replace them with large hotels or condominiums.
In the nineties, a slow process of reduction of the resident population became evident. At the same time, a reduction in traditional commercial activities. In many cases clothing and cosmetics shops have become more prominent, linked to the phenomenon of local non-summer weekend tourism.
The Stella Maris church is the main place of Catholic worship in Milano Marittima, a hamlet of Cervia.
In 1938, on his visit to Milano Marittima, Benito Mussolini designated a plot of land bordering the pine forest for the Franciscan friars. This land has been created for the construction of the church of “Santa Maria della Vittoria”. It celebrates the victory of Addis Ababa in 1936, expanding Mussolini’s empire.
Between 1947 and 1948, the extension works of the chapel Maria Stella Maris were completed. The building looks like a modern and majestic structure where the glazed element stands out. This is true both in the entrances, which mark the entire width of the facade, and in the part behind the altar.
Things to do in and around Milano Marittima
In the surroundings of Milano Marittima, among the things to see there is also the Saline di Cervia. It is about 4km from the center of Milano Marittima. It’s the ideal place to admire pink flamingos and other animal species. The Saline di Cervia is a nature reserve and tourists can visit only with the support of an authorized guide. The visits can happen on foot, by bike, by boat, by train and even by canoe.
For those who visit Milano Marittima with children, an interesting and fun activity is to visit the Butterfly House. In this pavilion, it is possible to discover the Butterfly Garden, the Tropical Butterfly Greenhouse and the House of Insects. This exhibition center is suitable for both children and adults. It is an excellent alternative for spending time in Milano Marittima when it rains and beach time is not possible.
For those who love nature you can visit a Nature Reserve which separates the sea from the towns of Pinarella and Tagliata.
Discover the nature of Milano Marittima
The pine forest between Pinarella and Tagliata follows the coast and is a precious green area of 24 hectares. A few steps from the sea, the forest is perfect for sheltering from the heat of the summer season and for relaxing walks all year round.
The Pineta di Pinarella is State Natural Reserve. In recent years, after a significant amount of tree destruction, the Municipality of Cervia is now renewing parts of the forest. They are using stone pine in the dune areas and broadleaf species suitable in the lower areas subject to water stagnation.
Natural treatments
In the Natural Park between Cervia and Milano Marittima there is a spa that exploits the beneficial properties of the salt pan present in this area.
The main attraction of the spa is the swimming pool with a temperature of 33°C and a high salt concentration. Inside the structure it is also possible to undergo massages, irrigations, mud baths, therapies and many purely aesthetic treatments.
In particular, the mud that is collected in the basins is really effective for therapeutic purposes. From rheumatism to sciatica, and also for aesthetic treatments as in the case of cellulite.
They are also comfortable for families with children, as there is entertainment for the little ones during the treatments.
Perfect for children
The Natural Park is an oasis in the greenery of 32 hectares within the pine forest of Milano Marittima. Here you can spend a day outdoors getting in touch with the local flora and fauna. Inside the park there are horses, donkeys, buffaloes, goats, sheep, fallow deer, deer, pigs and rabbits.
There is also an educational area named “In the Old Farm”. It is an enclosure where you can really get in touch with the animals, feed them, discover their characteristics and habits. You can enter alone or through a guide tour. Hugging goats and other animals will be a fantastic experience for the little ones!
Explore the area
The Natural Park offers several paths and shaded spaces where it is possible to relax, walk and have a picnic in the equipped area. There is also a refreshment area to enjoy a coffee break or a snack. It is the ideal space for practicing sports activities thanks to the presence of fitness trails.
Another thing to see in Milano Marittima is Avenue of Artists. It is a very characteristic avenue that comes alive in the summer with stalls and markets, with handicrafts by local artists and designers.
Here, it is possible to find everything from jewelry, paintings and bags to vintage items and eco-design creations. It is worth taking a trip just to enjoy an evening stroll, especially after spending the day at the beach.
If you are interested in visiting hidden gems like Milano Marittima on a bespoke trip with Bellarome, contact us to start planning your vacation of a lifetime.
