Musa nativity scenes
Salt Nativity scene
This unique nativity is made of naturally crystalized saltpan water. The 40 cm- tall figures represent the Holy Family, ox and donkey.
A salt Nativity scene is practically a must. The composition was built in the past using a very difficult manual technique. The sculptures in the nativity were created in 1992 by Agostino Finchi, an elderly salt worker, whose dexterity and passion are reflected in the fifteen figures of this classic nativity scene.
The statues are between 10 and 40 centimeters and have been created by hand out of crystallized salt. The technique used to create the statues is very difficult and requires a lot of patience and care, including daily correcting of the crystallization process.
The entire nativity scene is kept at the MUSA, Salt Museum in a glass case that protects it from temperature fluctuations and especially humidity.
Saltworkers's Nativity scene
The Salt Museum houses also the Saltworks Nativity scene set in the typical rush hut of salt workers with life-size statues inside of Mary, Jesus and Saint Joseph; these figures complete the other figures already housed at the museum.
These statues made of terracotta, molded over a metal frame, are in fact part of a series of creations that represent the saltworks in action and the figures of salt life, which are on display all year long thanks to the idea (and with the collaboration) of the founding partners of the Cultural Group of the Saltworks Civilization. The whole series was created and fired in the 1980s by Paolo Onestini, son of Giacomo Onestini, the famous Cervia ceramist.
You can admire a financer in his position inside the sentry box, a salt worker who is pushing a wheelbarrow and using a skeet, an instrument used for moving water from one basin to another. Lastly, the figures are clothed in period costumes created with great passion by a Cervia housewife.
Animated Nativity scene
A very original animated Nativity scene, which shows typical Cervia places and charachters, has been recently given to Musa by the family of its builder, Mario Boselli. Besides the most common trades, there are also typical activities depicted such as fishermen with rods on the “palèda” of the port and loggers cutting down pine trees. The building of this traditional and mechanical masterpiece took twenty years of patience and precision.
Opening
Winter timetable
from 16 September 2024 to 31 May 2025,
Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 2.30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
from 21st December 2024 to 6th January 2025,
open daily from 2.30 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Guided tours of Musa in foreign languages, for groups
Guided tours in English, French and German by appointment for groups of at least 15 people
Guided tours of the exhibition are available in Italian only.
When
from 7th December 2024 to 6th January 2025
Opening
see details on this page
Luogo
Musa - Salt Museum
Cervia - Magazzino del Sale Torre, Via Nazario Sauro 24
Price
Included in the Museum entrance ticket
- full ticket € 2,00
- reduced ticket € 1,00: boys and girls from 13 to 18 years
Free admission
- children up to 12 years
- disabled people with a helper
- tourist guides
- interpreter attending a group
- every first Sunday of the month
Official Tourist Information Site of Cervia