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Casa Matha of Ravenna

According to an erudite tradition that goes back to Girolamo Rossi, but which actually starts from Desiderio Pasolini, the order of the Casa Matha would be the continuation mutated nominations of the Scola piscatorum de civitate Ravenne documented from the last part of the century. XI, in turn a continuation of the Scola piscatorum Patoreno, petitioner of the Carta piscatoria of 943.

The Casa Matha of Ravenna boasts a very long history, which makes it one of the oldest associations in the world. Here are some key points of its evolution:

The origins (10th century): There are traces of the activity of the Ravenna fishermen as early as the 10th century, with the "Schola piscatorum Patoreno" documented in the Charta Piscatoria of 943. This association brought together those who carried out their work on the Badoreno, one of the branches of the Po that crossed Ravenna.

Birth of Casa Matha (13th Century): The name "Casa Matha" appears for the first time around 1268 in the Statute of the Municipality of Ravenna. The exact meaning of the name "Matha" is unclear, but the Casa Matha building became an important landmark for the city in that period.

Statute and development (14th Century): The oldest statute of the Order of the House Matha still preserved dates back to 1304. This document, although referring to previous statutes, represents a precious testimony of the functioning and organization of the association.

Until the 20th century: Casa Matha played a fundamental role for the Ravenna fishing community for centuries. It functioned as a meeting place, mutual assistance and home to the city fish market, active until 1921.

Today: The Order of the House Matha is still active and performs various functions. It promotes sustainable fishing and fish farming, organizes initiatives to protect the environment and enhances local culture. Furthermore, it hosts higher education courses in the artistic, humanistic and environmental fields.

To learn more about the history of the Casa Matha you can consult the website of the Order Society of Men of the Casa Matha - Ravenna. There is also a book specifically dedicated to the topic: "History of Casa Matha. A thousand-year-old institution in Ravenna" by Giovanni Fanti.

Map: Casa Matha of Ravenna