In Cattolica, the traditional gastronomic excellence conquers even the most refined palates.
Some dishes not to be missed are the Miacetto and the Bizulà, but the absolute protagonist is fish! The Casa del Pescatore is one of the most significant buildings in town, where you can discover Cattolica’s cultural roots and taste ancient recipes.
Let’s start from the origins!
The “Casa del Pescatore”: the history
Opposite the port of Cattolica, in Via Enrico Toti 2, is the Casa del Pescatore (Fisherman’s House), a protagonist of maritime tradition and history.
At the end of the Roman era, the last active furnaces at the mouth of the Tavollo river were abandoned and the entire community moved higher up the cliff, the ‘greppa del mare’: the sea was frightening and to protect themselves from invaders and raiders it was necessary to stay away from it.
Centuries and centuries away from the sea, until the 1700s when things rapidly begin to change and Cattolica becomes a flourishing fish market, a place of fishermen.
The sea is a faithful friend and source of income and so the fishermen build their houses at the foot of the ‘greppa’, in via del Porto, where you can still see two rows of low houses attached to each other.
Since 1825, the city has had a respectable port and fishing fleet, slightly less numerous than those of Rimini and Chioggia. In short, Cattolica has been one of the most important fishing ports on the Adriatic since then.
Regina Museum: the Maritime section
This history is told in the seafaring section of the Museo della Regina: we suggest you visit it, entrance is free.
Along the museum tour you will also meet the sailmakers: the wives, mothers and sisters of the fishermen who, in addition to looking after their families during the long periods their loved ones spent at sea, were the sailmakers.
The ‘Casa del Pescatore’ Cooperative, the first in Italy
It represents the seafaring spirit of the Catholic community. The life of fishermen and their families is hard and very risky, their community is supportive and each member in difficulty receives help from all the others.
Animated by these sentiments, the first Mutual Aid Community of fishermen was founded in Cattolica,and in 1930 it became the ‘Casa del Pescatore’ Cooperative, the first in Italy.
In 1934 its headquarters were inaugurated, a modern architecture beautiful building that became the heart of the port; it was around it that all the residential part began to develop.
Knowledge and flavours from the sea: the Casa del Pescatore today
Today the cooperative is dedicated to the sale of fresh seafood at the local fish market, which has been part of the FLAG Costa dell’Emilia Romagna project since 2001.
It preservesthe ancient knowledge: it guards the secrets of the fishermen’s cuisine and from fresh fish it creates its gastronomic excellence. The raw material, local fish, cooked according to old recipes preserves the strong local identity.
Every day, the clam boats and other fishing boats land small snails, cuttlefish, mantis shrimp (or cob), sardines, anchovies, sole, mullet, cod, mussels bred in the sea nurseries, and the prized Regina clams in the harbour: seafood products that are still fresh and sent for processing.
The result is nothing short of excellent, each delicacy immerses you in the taste of Cattolica.
Stewed snails, mussel pulp, skate in oil, cuttlefish with peas, mantis shrimp sauce or clam sauce are some of the typical recipes that smell of the sea and that you can try.
Would you like to take typical products home? The ‘Casa del Pescatore Preserves’ are a gastronomic journey, each one telling a story. Tasting them means returning to Cattolica with your heart and mind.
And if you want to learn even more about the local cuisine, take a look at the page on Cattolica’s gastronomy.