During the times of the Umbrians and Etruscans, Ravenna, like Venice, stood on a lagoon. Thanks to its strategically favorable location, the city was considered impregnable - and therefore the Roman Emperor Augustus founded a military and Trading port, which became a stronghold for the subjugation of the Adriatic and its coasts. When Emperor Theodosius I divided the Roman Empire between his sons, Honorius, who received the Western Roman Empire, made Ravenna the capital (395) - and the city immediately began to flourish. While the Great Migration devastated the rest of Italy, Honorius and his sister Galla Placidia, regent from 425-450, built a new imperial residence in Ravenna. In 476, Germanic tribes invaded Italy. Their leader Odoacer, who expelled the last emperor of Rome, after his proclamation as king of all Italy, rules the state from Ravenna. The Eastern Roman Empire still existed and sent the Ostrogothic king (from 471) Theodoric to Italy, who kept Ravenna under siege for three years; Having finally forced Odoacer to surrender the city in 493, he then killed him at a general feast. Theodoric, brought up as a prisoner at the Byzantine court, a legendary character named Dietrich of Berne from the "Song of the Nibelungs", brought a new upsurge to Ravenna. In 539, the Byzantine Emperor Justinian (482-565) returned Italy to the fold of the Eastern Roman Empire, and Ravenna became the seat of the exarchs (supreme rulers of the provinces); the third period of its heyday began. It was then that the Byzantine style penetrated into Western art. In 751, the Lombards put an end to the exarchate, and at the same time the prosperity of Ravenna. Later the city came under the rule of Venice, and in 1509 it became part of the papal state, where it remained until 1859. For a long time, the inhabitants of Ravenna lived by agriculture, until in the 1950s. Huge natural gas deposits were not discovered here, which led to the formation of a vast industrial belt around the city.

Sights of Ravenna

Church of San Vitale

From the outside, the Church of San Vitale (St. Vitali) is a simple octagonal centric structure (brick basilica), but the interior unexpectedly amazes with its magnificent brilliance and beauty. Its construction began under Theodoric the Great in 526, and was consecrated in 547 under his successor, Emperor Justinian. Eight pillars separate the central room from the bypass passage. The Byzantine mosaics, shimmering with mother-of-pearl in the light penetrating through the yellow stained glass windows, make a stunning impression. To the left and right of the altar are world-famous mosaic images of the rulers of Ravenna - Emperor Justinian and his wife Theodora, accompanied by their retinue; next to the emperor is Archbishop Maximian; in the central apse between St. Vitaly and St. The ecclesiasm depicts the Savior.

Mausoleum of Galla Placidia

Behind the church of San Vitale is the small mausoleum of Galla Placidia - the only surviving part of the disappeared palace complex. The mausoleum is a cross-domed structure and was erected around 440 during the life of the empress. The inside of the mausoleum is decorated with mosaics that are about 100 years older than those of the Church of San Vitale. The mosaic walls and vault shine with the amazing, deep blue color characteristic of the late imperial era. Warm light penetrating through small narrow windows decorated with stucco illuminates the cross, symbolic images of the evangelists and the figures of the twelve apostles, and above the entrance there is a mosaic depicting Christ as the young “Good Shepherd”. In the central part and in the arms of the “cross”, which lies in the plan of the structure, there are marble sarcophagi - presumably Galla Placidia and two emperors - Constantius III, her second husband, and son Valentinian III. But the empress herself is buried in St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome, where she died in 450. An interesting museum, located in the cloisters of the monastery near the Church of San Vitale, presents collections of ancient and early Christian art. The new museum in nearby Via Baccerini Alfredo 3 tells about the time of the Risorgi Mento.

Piazza del Popolo

The focal point of the city's historical center is the picturesque Piazza del Popolo. The Venetians erected two granite columns with the saints of the city on it in 1483, and two hundred years later the Palazzo Comunale was built behind the columns. On four of the eight capitals of the Palazzo Veneziano you can see the monogram of Theodoric.

Cathedral and baptismal

After passing several streets, you come to the cathedral, built in 1740, on the site oldest church Ravenna, founded by Bishop Ursus. Only the church tower and crypt have survived from the original building. The marble pulpit in the central nave on the right is made of slabs from the 6th century. with animal pattern. In the second chapel on the right and in the right transverse nave there are beautiful early Christian sarcophagi.
Next to the cathedral there is an Orthodox baptismal church - an octagonal brick building of the 5th century. with marble inlays on the interior walls and magnificent mosaics, probably created around 450, i.e., the oldest in Ravenna. The dome mosaic depicts the baptism of Christ, the ancient god of the river is the personification of the Jordan.

Archbishop's Museum

The next treasure of early Christianity is discovered in the Archbishop's Museum just behind the cathedral: this is the episcopal chair of Maximilian - Cattedra di Massimiliano. Created in the 6th century, it is an Egyptian ivory carving depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments. The mosaics in the small chapel of Sant'Andrea are funny, where Jesus Christ appears before the audience in the garb of a Roman soldier.

Church of St. Francis

On the modern Piazza dei Caduti per la Liberta stands the monastery church of St. Francis with a Romanesque bell tower. Inside there are beautiful columns made of Greek marble, the main altar of the 5th century. and a crypt of the 9th-10th centuries, the mosaic floor of which is 1.5 m under water.

Tomb of Dante Alighieri

Next to the church is the tomb of Dante Alighieri in the classical style. The poet died in 1321 in Ravenna, where he lived as an exile after being expelled from Florence in 1302. It was in Ravenna that he created the great Divine Comedy. You can learn a little more about Dante at the Dante Museum in the Monastery of San Francesco.

Sant'Apollinare Nuovo

Theodoric's court church stands on the very busy Via di Roma. The portico and apse were built in the 16th and 18th centuries. Twelve Byzantine marble columns, brought from Constantinople, divide the interior space into three naves. The walls are decorated with magnificent mosaics divided into three stripes, in which Byzantine influence is noticeable.

Ruins of Theodoric's palace

Nearby, on the corner of Via Alberoni, you can see the ruins of Theodoric's palace; The multi-layer façade with a protruding central part is noteworthy.

Arian Baptistery

The octagonal Arian baptistery was built under Theodoric in the 6th century. In the center of the domed mosaic, as in the Orthodox baptismal church, are scenes of the baptism of Jesus Christ. The neighboring Church of the Holy Spirit was previously an Arian cathedral. Unfortunately, only the pulpit has survived from the time of Theodoric.

Tomb of Theodoric

Popular among tourists is the unique tomb of Theodoric, 1 km from the city center, probably built during the lifetime of the Ostrogoth king. Powerful hewn blocks of limestone, laid without mortar, give the monumental circular building massiveness. The dome, weighing approximately 300 tons, is also hewn from a single block of limestone. The mausoleum resembles Syrian rather than Roman prototypes, but the frieze with an ornament in the form of tongs, on the contrary, clearly indicates German influence. The lower floor with barrel vaults is built in the shape of a Byzantine cross; on the top floor there is an ancient porphyry sarcophagus. However, Theodoric's body disappeared from the tomb.

Bicycle rental

We invite everyone who is tired of long walks around the city to do as the Italians do: get on your bikes! You can rent bicycles from the tourist information office on Via Salara - free of charge!

Inquiries

Via Salara 8, 48100 Ravenna;
Tel.: 05 44 48 26 64;
Fax: 05 44 48 26 70;
wvvw.turismo.ravenna.it

Neighborhood of Ravena

Sant'Apollinare in Classe

5 km south of Ravenna stands the church of Sant'Apollinare in Classe, built next to the long-relocated port that gave it its name. It began to be built outside the city around 535, and was consecrated in 549. The round tower was built in the 11th century. Byzantine marble columns divide the interior space; in the side naves there are sarcophagi of the 5th and 8th centuries. Magnificent mosaics in the apse and on the pediment " triumphal arch" entered the history of art. In the dome of the apse there is a mosaic depicting the Transfiguration of Christ in a medallion on a cross, decorated with ninety-nine stars made of precious stones, under it is the patron of the church of St. Apollinaris, appearing among twelve snow-white sheep, symbolizing his flock. On the pediment of the “triumphal arch” there is an image of Christ Pantocrator surrounded by symbols of the evangelists, and below are the twelve apostles in the form of lambs.

Pineta di Classe

Zapovednaya natural area Pineta di Classe, about 5 km from Sant'Apollinare in Classe, is the remains of a formerly famous pine forest, severely thinned by frost and fires. A little to the west lies Mirabilandia, one of the largest amusement parks in Italy.
The chain of beaches stretches from Casal Borsetti to Lido di Savio, near Milano Marittima, all of which appeared mainly in the 1970s.

Everything that is momentary, everything that is perishable,
Buried you for centuries.
You sleep like a baby, Ravenna,
Sleepy eternity is in your hands.
A. Blok, “Ravenna”

Ravenna - millennia of history

It is believed that these lands were originally owned by the Etruscans, and perhaps the Umbrians, due to the proximity of their territories. The name of this important Italian most likely goes back to the Latin root rava-, which in the Umbrian dialect means “ravine washed by streams of water” or “canal, swamp” and the addition of the Etruscan ending -enna. Since prehistoric times natural landscape These places were distinguished by many small rivers carrying their waters into the Adriatic Sea, forming swamps and lagoons right up to the mouth of the Po River.

In the 2nd century BC. all the lands of the Padan plain were captured and colonized by the Romans.

Due to the specifics of the local landscape, swamps and many small river streams, these lands were accessible only from the sea. That is why the Emperor of the Roman Empire Octavian Augustus ordered the deployment of a navy here and the construction of a military port. Drainage and reclamation work was carried out and a military port was built Classis. According to the description of the historian Pliny the Elder, the military port accommodated 250 ships and 10,000 sailors to control the northern waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

Over time, a city grew around the port. During the Roman Empire, thanks to its port, Ravenna became an important point for the commercial movement of goods throughout the Mediterranean.

The last emperor of a unified Roman Empire died in 395. Theodosius the Great. After his death, the empire was divided into western and eastern, and his sons Arcadius and Honorius received parts of the empire. Arcadius was proclaimed emperor of the East, Constantinople as the capital, and Honorius with his capital in Milan of the West. In 402, after the siege of Milan by the Visigoths, the Western Roman Emperor Honorius moved the capital to Ravenna.

Ravenna became the permanent residence of the emperor, and therefore acquired great importance as a political, economic and Cultural Center empires. During this period, the city experiences a construction boom, although due to siltation of rivers and lagoons, the port becomes underused and loses its importance.

The fate of the Western Empire was decided in Ravenna. In 476, its last emperor, Romulus Augustulus, was deposed by the leader of the German mercenaries, Odoacer. This was the end of the history of Ancient Rome, although the history of Ravenna does not end there. In 493, after a long siege, the city was conquered by the Ostrogoths Theodoric, and five years later the Byzantine Emperor Anastasius recognized him as king and ruler of Italy with his capital in Ravenna. Ravenna was recaptured in 540 Justinian and incorporated into Byzantium.

About two hundred years passed and Ravenna was again in the center historical events. The city was conquered by the Lombards. In 751, by order of the king of the Franks Pepin the Short Ravenna came under the control of the Pope, but received autocephaly and became the residence of the kings. The archbishops of Ravenna received generous gifts from the emperors of the Saxon dynasty and were used in open clashes with the Popes. During this period, the city was gradually ravaged: many mosaics, marble decorations, friezes and sculptures disappeared, and the port of Classis was completely forgotten, looted and abandoned.

During the Middle Ages, Ravenna came under the control of the archbishops, and later into the hands of noble aristocratic families. One of them was the family yes Polenta. With this family the great Florentine found his last sad refuge. poet Dante Alighieri. He died of malaria and was buried in Ravenna.

In the middle of the 15th century, Ravenna was subordinated to the Venetian Republic and was under its rule until 1509. At the same time, many palaces in the Venetian style were built in the city center, and the famous fortress was erected to defend the city Brancaleone(photo on the left - click). When Julius II ascended the papal throne, he conquered the entire Romagna. Ravenna has since vegetated quietly for the next 350 years. The city gradually sank into water due to the swampiness of the surrounding fields, until in May 1636 the sea flooded the very center. Dad got involved Clement XII Corsini. New drainage and reclamation works were carried out, canals were laid, a pier was built, a new Cathedral was built, and Dante’s tomb was reconstructed. In 1861, Ravenna became part of the Kingdom of a united Italy. After the Second World War, Ravenna was awarded the title of City of Honor and awarded the Gold Medal for courage and military valor in the War of Liberation - for the sacrifices of its people and participation in the guerrilla struggle during the Second World War.

Ravenna in the radiance of mosaics and ancient monuments - attractions

Ravenna boasts monuments and buildings from the early Christian period, as well as Byzantine architecture and beautiful mosaics. In 1996, the following objects were included in the composition World Heritage UNESCO:

Basilica of San Vitale and Mausoleum of Galla Placidia

Outwardly, they look very modest. Simple brick structures, like all the other Byzantine buildings in the city. But once you cross their threshold, the reason for their worldwide fame becomes obvious. characterized by an octagonal shape and emphasizes the influence of Constantinople. Founder of the basilica, bishop Ecclesius, visited there and could admire the beauty of the majestic Church of Hagia Sophia. In the apse, the basilicas shine with their unique beauty of mosaics.

The structure of the building is complex, it is topped with a faceted drum, on which a dome with a diameter of 16 meters rests with the help of eight central supports. Thanks to the supporting pillars, a round structure is formed inside the temple, on the second tier of which there are choirs. The entire structure seems magical due to the elaborate, unique lighting and decoration.

Inside Mausoleum of Galla Placidia , deepened by 1.5 meters due to the raising of the cultural layer over the centuries, except for the marble plinth of the early 20th century, everything has been preserved in the form in which it was conceived and implemented in the 5th century. The earliest Ravenna mosaics cover the inner surface of the mausoleum, where golden light penetrates through windows made of alabaster, which creates an extraordinary atmosphere. For the first few minutes, you need to be in semi-darkness so that your eyes get used to it, and then you can see and appreciate the unique mosaics, their decor and colors. It is better that the front door remains closed: then not a single detail will escape and the real masterpiece of the Mausoleum above the front door will become obvious - the image of Christ in the robe of the Good Shepherd.

The mausoleum is built in the shape of a cross: the dome in the center is supported by sails, and the branches of the cross connect the vaults. Mosaics cover the entire interior space and are distinguished by their rare beauty and splendor. They contain different plots, but organically form one whole.

Italian mosaicists loved few, thick and deep colors - blue, green and wine red. Extraordinarily and somehow incomprehensibly deep, very dark Blue colour on the ceiling of the mausoleum of Galla Placidia. Depending on the play of light penetrating here through the small windows, it amazingly and unexpectedly shimmers with greenish, purple, and crimson shades.

Russian art critic Pavel Muratov - about the mausoleum of Galla Placidia.

Inside the mausoleum there are four sarcophagi. It is not established exactly who they belong to. And although Galla Placidia herself built the mausoleum for herself and her family, it is known that she died in Rome in 450 and was buried in the family tomb of Emperor Theodosius - Santa Petronila in Rome. Researchers claim that her ashes were transferred to Ravenna later. For a long time, the mausoleum was a chapel-oratory dedicated to St. Lawrence, who was deeply revered in the family of Galla Placidia.

Information for visitors

A sign at the entrance warns of a 5-minute stay. Entry fee: €9.50 full price; reduced price € 8.50. The ticket is valid for 7 days and also allows you to visit the Basilica of Sant'Apollinarius Nuovo, the Orthodox Baptistery and the Archbishop's Museum.

Via S. Vitale, 17 ( 400 meters from Piazza del Popolo, a short walk in the pedestrian area, nearest parking in Largo Justiniana). Inquiries: +39 0544 541688. Open: 01/11 to 28/02 daily from 09:30 to 17:00; from 01/03 to 31/03 - daily, from 09.00 to 17.30; from 01/04 to 30/09 daily, from 09.00 to 19.00; from 01/10 to 31/10 from 09.00 to 17.30.
The Basilica of San Vitale and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia are closed on 25/12.

The Baptistery (photo left) is the oldest surviving building in the city and the most significant monument of Byzantine mosaics. The octagonal shape reminds us of Byzantine influence. Appearance made of brickwork and unadorned. Archaeologists claim that the baptistery was erected on the foundation of ancient Roman baths of the 4th–5th centuries, and the time of its construction is associated with the reign of Bishop Ursus. The baptistery received a different name from Bishop Neon; it was he who ordered the craftsmen to decorate the interior with amazing mosaics in the period from 451 to 475.

It can be seen that the current cultural layer is three meters higher than the original one, and this makes us think about the past. Entering inside, we see columns of the Ionic order in the window openings, mosaics and images of prophets on bas-reliefs. The entire interior decoration was supposed to emphasize that baptism is one of the first sacraments of Christianity. And in the center there is an octagonal font made of porphyry and marble. The font was redone in the 16th century, but the original 5th century pulpit, carved from a single piece of marble, remains.

The mosaic under the dome reproduces the biblical story on the themes of the Baptism of Christ and the Heavenly Jerusalem, as set out in the last book of the Revelation of John the Theologian. Above the arches of the first tier there is a floral ornament in the form of acanthus spirals on a blue background and images of prophets, and between the arches there are candelabra, thrones and a bishop's throne.

Orthodox Baptistery - photo

Information for visitors

Address: Via Baptistery, 1 ( 300 meters from Piazza del Popolo, Piazza Kennedy). Telephone: +39 0544 541688. Baptistery open 01/11 - 28/02 from 10:00 to 17:00; 01/03 - 31/03 from 09.30 to 17.30; 01/04 - 30/09 from 09.00 to 19.00; 01/10 - 31/10 from 09.30 to 17.30. Closed 25/12 and 1/1. Entry fee: €9.50 full price; €8.50 discounted. The ticket is valid for 7 days and also allows you to visit the Basilica of Sant'Apollinaris Nuovo, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, the Basilica of San Vitale and the Archbishop's Museum.

Where to stay in Ravenna

Hotels and apartments in Ravenna

Palazzo Bezzi Hotel
NH Ravenna
Grand Hotel Mattei
La Reunion
Best Western Hotel Bisanzio
Albergo Cappello
Antica Ravenna Residence
Hotel Centrale Byron
Hotel Sant'Andrea
Hotel Diana

Mosaics of Ravenna - video

Basilica of Sant'Apolinare in Classe (outside the city walls)

The basilica (on the left - click) was built in 549 over the tomb of St. Apolinarius, the first bishop of Ravenna. The construction of the Basilica of St. Apolinarius began on the initiative of Bishop Ursinus at the expense of the Greek merchant Julian Argentarius. The main relic of the basilica is the relics of St. Apolinarius. He is venerated as a holy martyr. During times of danger of ruin and enemy raids in the 9th century, the relics of the saint were transferred inside the city walls, to the Basilica of Sant'Apolinare Nuovo. In 1748, the saint’s relics were transferred to their original burial place and placed in the central altar.

In the apse conch, the basilica is decorated with the latest Ravenna mosaics from the period of Emperor Justinian the Great. They miraculously survived the sack of Ravenna by the Venetians in 1449. Mosaic masters used smalt, colored glass, gold and semi-precious stones, but marble was used for faces and clothes, so the shapes appear flatter.

How to read Mosaic? The mosaic tells about the Biblical event of the Transfiguration of the Lord, he is personified in the mosaic as adorned precious stones A cross, and at the intersection of the cross a medallion with the face of Christ is visible. Peter, John and James, present at this event, are depicted as lambs standing at a distance. In heaven are the prophets Elijah and Moses, who speak about the death of Christ. And at the very top is the blessing right hand of God the Father. The scene is depicted in the Garden of Eden, in the center - Saint Apolinarius and 12 sheep, which are a symbolic image of the apostles.

It is noteworthy that in 1001, Emperor Otto III spent Lent in a monastery built next to the basilica: the emperor, expelled from Rome, was deeply worried about the collapse of his plan to restore the Roman Empire. His mentor was the hermit Romuald of Ravenna, who convinced the emperor to enter a monastery. His prophecy was this: “If you go to Rome, you will no longer see Ravenna.” But the emperor began to prepare a campaign against Rome and... died the following year, 1002. A plaque in the left nave of the basilica commemorates this event.

Mosaic portraits of the great bishops of Ravenna are placed between the windows of the apse, and on the side walls shine mosaics on the themes of the Old Testament and the Granting of Privileges to the Church of Ravenna. In the side naves there are medieval sarcophagi where the bishops of Ravenna are buried. The sarcophagi are perfectly preserved; on them you can read about the history of the basilica, as well as admire their unusual decor.

Information for visitors

Address: Via Romea Sud Classe ( short trip by bus or car 8 km. south of Ravenna). Telephone +39 0544 473569. Monday to Saturday open from 8:30 to 19:30, Sunday morning Mass from 08:00 to 10:00: visiting is suspended and opens from 13:00 to 19:30. Entrance fee: €5 full ticket; €2.50 discounted.

Ravenna- a seaside resort, once the center of the Eastern Roman Empire, today it is small but very beautiful Italian city with its own unique characteristics. There are many attractions concentrated here, some of which are currently included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. But Ravenna is best known for its amazing mosaics, which, as before, decorate the walls of churches and monuments.

What to see in Ravenna on your own?

Beautiful places and main attractions: photos with descriptions in Russian.

Mausoleum of Galla Placidia

Ravenna is famous for its amazing mosaics and UNESCO heritage sites. All this is combined in the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, erected in the first half of the 5th century. In 1966, this contrasting and mysterious architectural structure was included in the UNESCO list, and the mosaic that adorns the walls of the mausoleum is considered the oldest in the city.

Originally it was a chapel that was part of the Church of Santa Croce. Later, when the street was laid out in honor of Galla Placidia, part of the sanctuary had to be dismantled, after which the chapel turned into a separate structure. The mausoleum of Galla Placidia did not become the place of her burial, but three sarcophagi: for her, her husband and son are located inside. There are questions about the remains buried in these sarcophagi that have not been answered to this day.

From an architectural point of view, this is a very contrasting structure. A modest, small building, cruciform in shape, made of red brick, amazes with the splendor of its interior decoration.

  • Address: Via Giuliano Argentario, 22
  • Opening hours: from 01.04 to 30.09 from 9:00 to 19:00, in October and March - until 17:30, from 01.11 to 28.02 - until 17:00.
  • The cost of a single ticket for “Mosaics of Ravenna” (includes 5 attractions) is 9.50 euros, from 01.03–15.06 you need to pay an additional 2 euros. Children under 10 years old are free.

Mausoleum of Theodoric

The Mausoleum of Theodoric was built in 520 AD by the Ostrogoth king, who ruled Ravenna at that time. This mausoleum is the only surviving creation of the Ostrogoths, and therefore, in 1996, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The mausoleum is located in the middle of a Gothic cemetery. This is a round structure with a dome made of solid stone, it is installed on a ten-sided pedestal. A distinctive feature of this structure is that, in comparison with the luxurious temples and mausoleums of Ravenna, there is not a single decoration inside, with the exception of traces of the cross that once adorned the upper tier, and the red bowl that served as the tomb for Theodoric. During the reign of Justinian, the remains of the Ostrogoth king were removed from the mausoleum, after which the building was turned into a chapel.

  • Address: Via delle Industrie, 14.
  • Opening hours: in summer from 8:30 to 19:00.
  • Entrance: 4 euros standard, 2 euros reduced. Admission is free every first Sunday of the month.

Arian Baptistery

The Arian Baptistery was built between the 5th and 6th centuries on behalf of the Ostrogothic king Theodoric. The king was a follower of the Arian branch of Christianity, which is why the baptistery received such a name, but in appearance it is very similar to the Neon (Orthodox) baptistery. In the middle of the 6th century, the baptistery was turned into an oratory of the Virgin Mary, when Arianism began to be suppressed. In 1996, along with other monuments in Ravenna, the baptistery was included in the UNESCO list.

Externally, the structure looks quite simple. The walls are made of red brick. The building itself is small in size and consists of two tiers. The first one has no windows, only an entrance to the room and several semicircular projections. On the second tier there are small windows in the shape of arches.

Inside, the dome of the baptistery is decorated with a mosaic with a scene of the baptism of Christ, and around it are depicted the twelve apostles, separated from each other by small palm trees.

  • Address: Piazzetta degli Ariani.

Church of the Holy Spirit in Ravenna

The Church of the Holy Spirit is located literally a few meters from the Arian Baptistery. This is another early Christian building from the early 6th century. The church was erected during the reign of the Ostrogoth king Theodoric. However, like many religious buildings in Ravenna, the Church of the Holy Spirit, after the death of the Ostrogothic king, came under the patronage of the Orthodox branch of Christianity.

The only, but at the same time the most noticeable, decoration of the facade of the building is a portico with large arches running in a row, separated only by thin, even columns. The church consists of three parts: a nave and galleries, they are separated by columns. The altar, made of Greek marble, has been preserved in its original form.

  • Address: Piazzetta degli Ariani, 1.
  • Admission during services is from 10:00 to 12:00 on Sundays. Tourist visits are prohibited.

Neonian Baptistery

Neonian Baptistery, Neon Baptistery or Orthodox Baptistery are all names of the same religious building in Ravenna. The Baptistery received its name in honor of Bishop Neon. This step was necessary in order to be able to distinguish between the two baptisteries in Ravenna, which are very similar in appearance.

The Baptistery of Neon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as one of the early Christian buildings, also decorated inside with magnificent mosaics, comparable to those in the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia or the Basilica of San Vitale. It covers all the walls and the dome of the baptistery. Inside there is a large octagonal baptismal font. In general, the interior decoration is very elegant, but from the outside the baptistery looks quite simple.

  • Address: Via Gioacchino Rasponi.
  • Opening hours: from April 1 to September 30 from 9:00 to 19:00, in October and March from 9:30 to 17:30, from November 1 to February 28 - from 10:00 to 17:00.

Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe

The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe is one of the main churches of Ravenna. It was built in the middle of the 6th century on the site where the patron and first bishop of Ravenna, St. Apollinaris. “Klasse” is the name of one of the districts of the city in which the church is located. Today it is one of eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The basilica has an oblong shape, the size of the building is 55 m by 30 m. The walls are made of thin bricks, between which a rather thick layer of white mortar can be seen. There are semicircular windows along the perimeter of the building. Next to the basilica there is a tall round tower.

When entering the basilica, the first thing that attracts attention is the colonnade of two rows. In this way, the internal space is divided into three naves, where the central one is the largest, and the side ones are much smaller. The basilica is decorated with mosaics from the reign of Justinian, in addition there are sarcophagi with the relics of bishops, and the main value is the relics of St. Apollinaria, which are in the altar.

  • Address: Via Romea Sud, 224.

Archbishop's Chapel and Museum

The archbishop's chapel was erected during the reign of the Ostrogoth king Theodoric, between the 5th and 6th centuries, as an episcopal house church. The chapel was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites as one of the early Christian buildings.

The base of the chapel is laid out in the shape of an elongated (Greek) cross. The inside of the church is decorated with mosaics on which you can see plant motifs and biblical scenes.

The Archbishop's Museum was opened in the 17th century; its exhibits are finds that were made on the territory of churches belonging to the diocese. The museum's greatest treasures are an ivory throne and a silver cross that belonged to two archbishops of Ravenna who served in the 6th century.

  • Address: Piazza Arcivescovado, 1.
  • Opening hours: from April 1 to September 30 from 9:00 to 19:00, October and March from 9:30 to 17:30, from November 1 to February 28 from 10:00 to 17:00.
  • Entrance: single ticket“Mosaics of Ravenna” - 9.50 euros, reduced price - 8.50 euros. Admission for children under 10 years old is free.

Dante's Tomb

Dante Alighieri, author of the famous Divine Comedy, died in Ravenna in 1321 and was buried in that city in the Basilica of San Francesco. Last years Dante spent his life in Ravenna due to expulsion from his native Florence. And only after his death, when it became clear that Dante had glorified himself throughout the centuries, it was decided to transport the poet’s ashes to Florence. But the sarcophagus brought from Ravenna turned out to be empty. And all because the residents of Ravenna did not want to part with their beloved poet, so the monks of the Church of San Francesco secretly removed Dante’s remains and hid them on the territory of the monastery. After this, the poet’s ashes were moved several times in connection with historical events.

Dante's tomb, in which his ashes now rest, was built in 1780. This is a very small but quite elegant building, made in the neoclassical style. Inside there is a sarcophagus with an urn, and on the wall, transferred from the Church of San Francesco, is a bas-relief of the poet.

  • Address: Via Dante Alighieri, 9.

Basilica of San Francesco

The Basilica of San Francesco, which is located in Ravenna, was built in the 10th-11th centuries on the site of a small church from the 5th century. It was originally consecrated in honor of St. Peter's, but in 1261, after it passed to the Franciscans, the basilica acquired its current name.

This church is known not only to the residents of Ravenna, but also to all admirers of Dante, because it was here in 1321 that the great poet was buried, and then buried. In addition, finds from the 5th century attract attention.

The church has a rectangular base ending in a semicircular apse. Next to the basilica rises a 33-meter bell tower. The church is divided into three naves by colonnades of twelve columns. Under the apse there is a crypt with a mosaic floor, which is now below the groundwater level, and real goldfish swim in the resulting water cover.
Today the monastery is not active, now it is a museum of the city of Ravenna.

  • Address: Ravenna Piazza San Francesco 1
  • Free admission.

Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo

The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo is one of the eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ravenna. It was built during the reign of King Theodoric at the turn of the 5th and 6th centuries and served as a royal church. Unfortunately, from royal palace, next to which the basilica was located, today only ruins remain.

During its existence, the basilica underwent some changes, in particular, in the 10th-11th centuries, a high bell tower was added, and later, in the 16th century, the façade of the building began to be decorated with a white marble portico. Most of the mosaics from the Arian period have been lost without compensation, but you can admire equally beautiful works from more recent times.

Of particular interest to tourists are the frescoes (in the first chapel from the entrance), which depict scenes of the Second World War.

  • Address: Via di Roma, 52.
  • Time: from April 1 to September 30 from 9:00 to 19:00, in October and March from 9:30 to 17:30, from November 1 to February 28 - from 10:00 to 17:00.
  • Admission: single ticket “Mosaics of Ravenna” - 9.50 euros, reduced price - 8.50 euros. Admission for children under 10 years old is free.

Basilica of San Vitale

The Basilica of San Vitale is the most beautiful structure of the eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ravenna. First of all, its unusual design attracts attention - an octagonal base with apses, stairs, towers and many windows.

The Basilica of San Vitale was built by the Bishop of Ravenna in the mid-6th century. The architecture of Byzantium made a great impression on the bishop, and therefore he decided to embody all the most beautiful things he saw in his hometown. Without a doubt, he succeeded. White marble walls, an abundance of light, an unusual design, amazingly beautiful mosaics, the subjects and craftsmanship of which can be discussed for hours, will not leave indifferent any tourist who has crossed the threshold of the Basilica of San Vitale.

  • Address: Via Argentario, 22.
  • Time: from April 1 to September 30 from 9:00 to 19:00, in October and March - until 17:30, from November 1 to February 28 - until 17:00.
  • Admission: single ticket “Mosaics of Ravenna” - 9.50 euros, reduced price - 8.50 euros. Admission for children under 10 years old is free.

Piazza del Popolo

Piazza del Popolo, translated from Italian as "People's Square", is the central square of the city, where all the main cultural and social events of Ravenna take place.

In the 13th century, the palace of the ruler of the city, Palazzo del Podesta and the Palace of the Papal Viceroy, were built, and the landscaped space between the palaces turned into Piazza del Comune. In the middle of the 15th century, after the Venetians came to power, a Venetian Palace, where the City Hall was located.

Over the centuries-old history of its existence, Piazza del Popolo has witnessed many reconstructions and new construction of the buildings surrounding it, they changed their purpose, but invariably remained the main buildings of the city, and thus the square itself acquired important geographical and political significance. And in 1946, Piazza del Popolo received its current name.

  • Address: Piazza del Popolo

Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ

The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ is the main religious building of Ravenna. The city's cathedral was built on the site of the first cathedral, erected at the turn of the 6th and 5th centuries and was also consecrated in honor of the Resurrection of Christ. Thirteen centuries later, the first cathedral became so dilapidated that it was decided to dismantle it and build a new one in its place. The consecration of the new cathedral took place in 1749.

Some details from the ancient building were still preserved, for example, four columns of the 5th century decorate the facade of the building. They are built into a three-arched portico. In addition, sarcophagi have been preserved (of particular value are the sarcophagus of Monsignor Rinaldo da Concorreggio and the sarcophagus of St. Barbatian), the pulpit of Bishop Agnellus and some other relics of the 5th century. The cathedral is quite large in size, it consists of three naves, where the central nave reaches 60 meters in length.

  • Address: Piazza Duomo.

Archaeological sieve Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra

Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra is a fairly new archaeological discovery. In 1993, during the construction of an underground garage, traces of ancient mosaics were found. This place is called the carpet museum, but there is not a single carpet there. The fact is that the floor is decorated with amazing mosaic patterns, when looking at which you get the impression that there really is a patterned carpet on the floor.

The museum is not very large, but the exhibits are worth visiting, especially since it is located on the way to the most famous attractions of the city - the Mausoleum of Gala Placidia and the Basilica of San Vitale. Despite the fact that the museum is located underground, the lighting is very good, and tourists note that the photographs taken in the museum are of high quality.

  • Address: Via Gian Battista Barbiani - 16.
  • Entrance: 4 euros for adults, 3 euros for children

National Museum

National Museum located in the building of a former monastery, and is located in close proximity to the Basilica of San Vitale. The museum was opened in 1804, and in 1885 it received its current name. Most of the exhibits are made up of utensils from monasteries that were closed during secularization at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. In addition, the museum houses a collection of Roman coins. Of particular importance to the museum is the reliquary (5th century) with interesting carvings.

The painting in the museum is represented by various frescoes from the Middle Ages, of which eight frescoes painted by Pietro da Rimini in the first half of the 14th century are of great value. There are also exhibits from more recent times: a collection of paintings and textiles that can be dated back to the 17th-18th centuries.

The National Museum is worth a visit for every tourist who wants to get to know history better. beautiful city Ravenna.

  • Address: Via San Vitale, 17
  • Admission: Adult -5 euros, reduced price -2.50 euros, under 18 years old - free
  • Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 8:30 to 19:30, ticket office closes at 19:00, closed on Mondays, January 1, May 1 and December 25

Library Classense

The Classense Library is no ordinary library. This is a preserved library of monks, which was created in the 17th century. It belongs to the Abbey of Di Classe, and the books filling the library were collected by the monks of the Camaldolian congregation. Of particular importance are the manuscripts of Pietro Canneti, who was the abbot of the monastery. In addition, the library's assets include various codices, incunabula, rare and ancient books, historical paintings and photographs. In total, if we take into account modern literature, the collection of the Klassense library numbers about 800 thousand items.

This majestic temple of culture is worth visiting for every tourist. You don't have to take books to read. Just visit the main hall, where time has stood still. It has two tiers of bookshelves decorated with floral motifs. The white walls of the hall depict portraits and historical scenes, enclosed in elegant stucco frames, as well as statues of great men.

  • Address: Via Alfredo Baccarini - 3.
  • Free admission

Brancaleone Fortress

The Brancaleone fortress took almost two decades to build; the final work was carried out in 1470. Construction began after the Venetians came to power, who wanted to build a reliable fortification around the city. The fortress walls stretched over 14 thousand square meters and became part of the city walls. At first glance, everyone will understand that this is a very powerful structure that will withstand even the strongest enemy attacks.

The walls have four towers (two round at the edges and two semicircular in the middle). The citadel, which has four towers, creates an even stronger impression. All towers of the fortress and citadel have their own names.

The walls of the fortress are made of red brick. Of the decorative elements, two bas-reliefs have been preserved: the Lion of St. Mark and the Virgin Mary and Child.

At the end of the twentieth century, the territory of the fortress was improved: a children's playground was built, a stage for musical performances was erected, and annual film screenings are held in the open air.

  • Address: Rocca Brancaleone

Ravenna Planetarium

The planetarium in Ravenna is located on the territory of the city garden and began its work in 1985. The planetarium is not very large external dimensions, however, a fairly spacious auditorium with 56 seats.

The planetarium building is a one-story structure. The lower part of the building is lined with large white scarves imitating marble. The central entrance is located under a canopy supported by four columns painted black. The dome of the planetarium has an uneven hemispherical shape and slightly angular edges.

From the inside, the dome is represented by many stars, planets and other space objects. When the lights turn off and the heavenly lights come on, and the mechanism automatically sets the entire structure in motion, there is not a single doubt left that the visitor’s chair is not in the auditorium, but on board a spaceship.

  • Address: Viale Santi Baldini, 4
  • Visits are possible from Monday to Friday from 8.30 to 12.30; on Tuesday and Friday additionally from 20:30 to 22:30.

Amusement park Mirabilandia

Mirabilandia is a place that not only children, but also adults will want to visit. It was opened in 1992 and is constantly developing and improving. It is not without reason that this amusement park is considered the largest and most interesting in all of Italy. It stretches over 850 thousand square meters, and is divided into three parts, where most of it is given over to parking spaces, 300 thousand square meters is theme park, and 100 thousand is a water park. The number of visitors only increases every year.

The amusement park has more than forty different attractions and entertainment areas, they are divided into seven thematic areas. It’s also worth taking a ride on practically the largest Ferris wheel in Europe, only the London attraction is bigger.

Every tourist planning a holiday in Ravenna should definitely allow himself to go to Mirabilandia and enjoy hours of carefree childhood.

  • Address: Strada Statale 16, km 162.
  • Opening hours: open from mid-April to mid-October every day from 10:00 to 18:00, depending on holidays, the schedule may change.
  • Ticket prices: adults - 34 euros, children - 28 euros (height below 140 cm and age under 10 years), children under three years old - free. To visit the water park you need to add 9.5 euros and 7.5 euros for adults and children respectively.

Paguro platform

The Paguro platform has attracted diving enthusiasts for more than fifty years. In 1965, an accident occurred on the Paguro platform during work on a methane field. After the disaster, the platform sank to the bottom of the sea, to a depth of about 25 meters. Since then, the remains of Paguro have attracted outdoor enthusiasts.

As a rule, tourists go there in order to take a closer look at the rare underwater inhabitants that have found refuge on the wreckage of the platform. Visibility under water varies: from a few decimeters to 18 meters. At depth, the temperature can drop to 10 degrees Celsius, so you should take care of the appropriate equipment. According to experienced divers, underwater trips in these places are quite difficult, but interesting.

In 1995, the flow of tourists increased so much that it was decided to create the Paguro Association to protect underwater inhabitants.

  • Location: Marina di Ravenna port

Garden of Forgotten Plants

The Garden of Forgotten Plants (Rasponi Garden) is a piece of paradise in a busy city. It is located at the crossroads of Via Guerrini and Via Rasponi. A special atmosphere is provided by thick brick walls that protect visitors from the bustle of the city, as well as ancient castles, reminiscent of bygone times, between which there is a garden.

One day, the city administration, together with the People's Bank of Ravenna, thought about a wonderful gift for the residents hometown, they wanted to create a place where they could take a break from the hustle and bustle and, at the same time, spend time profitably. This is how the Rasponi Garden appeared.

A distinctive feature of this green corner is the abundance of various plants, from rare medicinal herbs to common culinary herbs. Beautiful flower beds and a central fountain decorated with wrought iron will make your walk even more enjoyable. In addition, famous Ravenna attractions are located very close to the garden.

  • Address: intersection of Via Guerrini and Via Rasponi.
  • Free admission

Garden of Palazzo della Provincia

The garden of Palazzo della Provincia is very interesting place, where stone historical elements and fresh juicy vegetable world. But what makes the garden most interesting is that it is located on the roof of the Palazzo della Provincia.

The palace building was erected in the second quarter of the 20th century and represents a symbiosis of “new romanticism” and elements of Byzantine culture. Modern building was built on the site of the Rasponi Palace, which at the end of the 19th century was converted into a hotel, and then, in 1922, it was completely consumed by fire. However, some elements have been preserved and are now of historical value.

One of the remains ancient culture is the Crypt of Rasponi, a mosaic preserved on the floor that dates back to the 6th century and was formerly part of the Basilica of San Severo. In addition to details of the past, in the garden, and in particular in the crypt, you can find objects of modern art.

  • Address: Piazza S. Francesco
  • Time: from June 8 to October 9: daily from 10:00 to 14:00. From October 11 to November 15: on weekends from 10:00 to 18:00. From November 16, the crypt will be closed.
  • Entrance 2 Euro.

Byron's house

Lord Byron lived in Ravenna from 1819 to 1921 in the Palazzo Guiccioli. This seemingly small period of time played a very important role in the poet’s life. Here he met his love in the person of Teresa Guiccioli. She was the young wife of Count Alessandro Guiccioli, who was the owner of the Palazzo Guiccioli.

The poet's life during this period was filled with many events of various emotional tones, perhaps thanks to this, the years spent in Ravenna turned out to be very fruitful in terms of Byron's creative success.

The Guiccioli Palace was built in the 16th century by the Osio family from Milan and was originally called Palazzo Osizo, but in 1802 it was sold to the Guiccioli family and has since had its current name. In 1843 it was sold to the Rasponi family, and after 1921 it became state property. In 1990, the palace came under the control of the municipality and only years later, it was decided to open a museum in this building dedicated to the memory of the great poet Byron.

  • Via Camillo Benso Cavour, 52−54

Museum of Art in Ravenna

The building in which the art museum is located is in itself an architectural treasure of the 16th century. This is the ancient monastery of Loggetta Lombardesca, belonging to the basilica Santa Maria in Porto. It is a large Renaissance building with a beautiful courtyard surrounded by an elegant colonnade.

Various temporary exhibitions are regularly held on the ground floor; modern mosaicists (artists working with mosaics) often take part. On the second floor there are copies of ancient sculptures. And on the third floor there is a very interesting collection of religious art. The museum permanently displays a collection of modernist and medieval art. Also located in the museum International Center Mosaic Documentation.

  • Address: Via di Roma, 13
  • Entrance: full 3 euros, reduced 2 euros
  • Working hours:
    Tue, Thu and Fri 9.00 −13.30 / 15.00 - 18.00
    Wed and Sat 9.00 −13.30
    Sun 15.00 - 18.00
    Closed - Mondays
    Every Saturday from September 27 to January 11 - the museum is open from 9.00 to 18.00.
    Open: November 1, December 26, Easter, Easter Monday, April 25, May 1, June 2
    Closed: August 15, December 25 and January 1

TAMO Museum (Tamo Museo del Mosaico)

The TAMO Museum (full name - Tutta l "Avventura del Mosaico) is a museum of mosaics for which Ravenna is so famous. The museum's exhibition shows visitors the most interesting finds, as well as the stages of development of this art from ancient times to the present day. Such a great asset of the museum is due because for the most part it is represented by copies of famous mosaics.However, the quality of these duplicates is at a very high level, which is practically impossible to distinguish from the real ones.

The museum is located in the old Basilica of San Nicolo. At the TAMO Museum you can not only see beautiful mosaics from different times, but also learn this art from masters who clearly show and tell all the stages of creating a mosaic masterpiece.

The TAMO Museum is worth visiting for those tourists who want to learn as much as possible about the main value of Ravenna (its mosaics), but they have too little time to visit all the sights.

  • Address: Via Rondinelli, 2
  • Entrance: 4 euros;
  • Opening hours until October 9: every day from 10:00 - 14:00. From October 11: Mon - Fri from 10:00 - 17:00; Saturday, Sunday and holidays- from 10:00 - 18:00.

Ravenna may not captivate you instantly, but after staying here for some time, you will be surprised to notice that you don’t want to leave here at all. Ravenna will slowly and gradually win your heart and leave an indelible mark on your soul.

The bus stop was right opposite our apartment; the ride to the train station was about 15 minutes, and from there we planned to begin our acquaintance with the city.

In most Italian cities the train station is located historical center city, which, you see, is very convenient. We didn't have a map of Ravenna, so we walked towards tourist center, it is located at via Salara, 8. But at the station at the newsstand you can buy an excellent guidebook in Russian published by Salbaroli (it has a red cover).

To begin with, we went to the first gelateria we came across - opposite the station, to enjoy the famous Italian ice cream, the choice is huge, so we hung out there for a long time :)

The town is very cozy, walking around it is a pleasure. And right on the station square (Piazza Farini) you can rent a bike from the Cooperativa Sociale la Formica for a day for 8.5 euros

It is unique in that it has a collection of the most beautiful Byzantine and early Christian mosaics in Western Europe and is considered the capital of mosaics.

In ancient times, Ravenna, like Venice, was located on shallows, right in lagoons, on islands in the middle of the sea. They began to build the city on stilts, but over time the land captured territories near the sea, and coastline moved away. Now Ravenna can no longer be called a port; it is 7 km from the sea. The exact date of the founding of Ravenna is unknown; there are references to it in the works of ancient Greek historians who lived before our era.

IN tourist center (on all maps it is indicated by the letter i in the yellow square) we were given a free map of the city, with the landmarks marked, and there we bought comprehensive tickets to visit the five main sites of the city, an adult ticket - 9.5 euros, for children and students - 8.5 euros. The back of the ticket shows the operating hours of each facility. There you can also buy tickets to the Mirabilandia amusement park and much more.

It's best to start by visiting Church of St. Vitale (Basilica di San Vitale). The church was founded on the site of the martyrdom of St. Vitaly in 521. This octagonal building, surrounded by chapels, is built of baked bricks. From the outside it may look a bit unattractive, but inside it is incredibly beautiful. I want to admire it endlessly, but who will? :)

It’s simply a miracle that all this has survived to this day.
By the way, in August 2015, some episodes of the movie “Viking” were filmed here. A movie had never been filmed here before. Anatoly Maksimov (the film’s producer) said that it was with great difficulty that he managed to obtain permission from the Vatican for filming. As a result, one of the most important scenes of the film - the confession scene of Prince Vladimir - was filmed here. During filming, the Basilica and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia (which is nearby) were closed to the public, and so that tourists would not be too upset, entry to other sites in the diocese was made free for this time😊

After each visit, we were given a puncture on our ticket, remember how it used to be on a driver’s license in case of violations?

Walking across the small lawn from the Basilica of San Vitale, we saw a small, squat chapel building. This is a monument of the 5th century, Mausoleum of the Roman Princess Galla Placidia. Inside, magnificent mosaics shine in the twilight, illuminated only by the light from three small onyx windows, you get the feeling that they are transparent and glowing from within. Under the dome there is a bright blue sky, a golden cross and golden shining stars, and grapes climb through the arches. By the way, these mosaics are considered the oldest in the city. Beauty... beyond words. As Dmitry Krylov said: “Talking about the mosaics of Ravenna is the same as explaining to a blind person what color the sun and sky are.” It's better to see it all for yourself. It’s hard to even imagine what titanic work went into creating all this beauty. I want to touch these ancient walls... Which is what I do everywhere.

Then we go out onto St. Vitale Street (via San Vitale) and head towards Cathedral Square(Piazza del Duomo). This is the central square of the old city, there are three very interesting objects: Ravenna Cathedral, Neoniano Baptistery and Archbishop's Palace (Museo Arcivescovile). A visit to the last two is also included in our tickets.

The more we walked around the city, the more fascinated we became with it. He's very nice.

From the Archiepiscopal Museum we walked through three intersecting squares - Piazza Arcivescovado, Piazza Caduti and Piazza San Franchesko - to the small Church of St. Francis. Next to the church is the tomb of Dante Alighieri. The Dante Museum is also located here. A staircase to the left of the tomb leads to it.

But we decided to take a break from sightseeing and just walk around the city. After all, everything is good in moderation 😊

We went to main square Ravenna, which is called Popular ( Piazza di Popolo). The square looks very festive, it is surrounded by old buildings of gingerbread colors and many cafes. Here we decided to drink coffee and have a snack. It is very pleasant to sit in a street cafe, look at the beautiful details and stare at passers-by. We were lucky to witness a large Italian wedding.

On our next visit we looked Basilica di S.Appolinare nuovo and Baptistery Degli Ariani. We bought souvenirs in the shop there. A beautiful carved Angel of Peace sits on my shelf and reminds me of beautiful Ravenna.

By Via Cavour and around on numerous streets there are many brand stores, but we were waiting for the sales to start, and planned shopping in Bologna.

We liked it in Ravenna shopping mall ESP, there is a large selection of products, you can buy prepared food and all sorts of sweets. There is also a good selection of clothing and shoes from affordable Italian brands.

We came to Ravenna more than once during our stay, to wander through its narrow beautiful streets and sit in a cafe. We really liked this small and cozy city.

By the way, if you decide to stay in this wonderful city, I recommend the apartments Il Cielo in Una Stanza.

Apartment Il Cielo in Una Stanza with free Wi-Fi located in Ravenna, a 4-minute walk from the Basilica of San Vitale and 300 meters from the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia. All apartments are air conditioned and come with a flat-screen TV, a living room with a sofa, a well-equipped kitchen, a private bathroom with a bidet, free toiletries and a hairdryer, an oven and a coffee machine.

Have a nice trip!

Throughout their history, the Romans did not look for easy ways when it came to providing the state with housing, territory, and infrastructure. This postulate finds application when looking at the city of Ravenna, which is not for nothing called the sister of Venice. An archipelago of half-submerged islands that are connected by a large number of channels, the city became an ideal springboard for the creation of a powerful Italian fleet, which brought fear to the Maltese and Sicilian pirates. Today all that remains of Ravenna's military past are historical monuments Yes, the memories of an old resident of the city. We will talk about that in a separate article.

Getting to Ravenna

For domestic tourists, the most optimal transport is an airplane. But the Gastone Novelli airfield in Ravenna is used as a training ground. The nearest civil air terminals are: Marco Polo in Venice, Miramare in Rimini, Guglielmo Marconi in Bologna (80 km).

You can get from Bologna to Ravenna by car in 1 hour. Moreover, tourists will have to pay not only a rental car, but also a transport tax of 5 euros. Train travel costs 7 euros. Read.

From Rome to Ravenna the distance is 280 km. It takes 4.5 hours to get there by car, a little less by train. A second class ticket costs 62 euros.

From Milan to Ravenna 288 km. If you use a car, the travel time will be at least 3 hours. The time on the train exceeds 3 hours, since a transfer to Faenza or Bologna is inevitable.

Ravenna train station is located within walking distance from the city center. Therefore, we strongly recommend not stopping a taxi, but walking along the streets of the historical area.

From Moscow you can take a ticket to Rome, where you can transfer to a train or plane to Bologna or Rimini. In general, the transport infrastructure in the northern part of Italy receives the most flattering reviews, but you should be on your guard, because there are a lot of street thieves in the Apennines.

Prices in Ravenna

Being hospitable and temperamental people, Italians are kind to their guests. This equally applies to restaurants, bars, taxi drivers, hoteliers, and ordinary residents of the country. In this regard, you should not be surprised if a good-natured souvenir seller gives you a small trinket. However, bargaining with representatives of the second oldest profession is a must.

As for restaurants and hotels, there are clearly fixed prices. Among the restaurants, Ponte Marino 3 stands out, on the menu of which you can find traditional Italian and Mediterranean dishes. An average dinner with alcohol costs 25 euros. If you order fisso (dish of the day), such a buffet will cost 10-15 euros.
In the famous pizzerias of Ravenna you can dine on seafood, vegetables, and a large number of specialty cheeses. On average, pizza costs 1.5 euros, and coffee costs 2 euros. Naturally, it will be more expensive to eat in cafes located in the city center than far from the tourist trails.

Parking costs 2 euros per hour (tickets can be purchased at newsstands). As for hotels, the range of prices is impressive. Tourists can use budget options like hostels for 35 euros or luxury hotels where a room can cost 150 euros.

Culinary traditions of Ravenna

In a picturesque area that combines the cultural and gastronomic characteristics of the entire country, you can fully enjoy Italy. Taste Cappelletti with meat sauce, amazing piada, passatelli in chicken broth. By the way, the latter dish is in high demand among Russians. Passatelli contains eggs, grated Parmesan, nutmeg, and breadcrumbs. Among desserts, Scuacquerone is considered the king of dishes - caramelized figs with a generous handful of cheese. The hearty lunch can be washed down with local Sangiovese wine.

Event tourism

It is customary to visit Ravenna on special occasions. summer days when the city takes international exhibitions, festivals, fairs, other cultural events. The Ravenna Festival attracts opera artists, figures from the film industry, theater, and pop music.

Night Mosaic is a complex of fascinating excursions to the most remarkable historical places of Ravenna.

Every third week of the month, the Antique Market is held, where connoisseurs of antique interior items, clothing, etc. come.

Weather in Ravenna

During the winter months, central Italy tends to be quite cool, owing to the region's high humidity levels. Fog and snow are frequent guests for local townspeople who celebrate such festivals as New Year and Christmas. And in summer, high humidity is by no means an advantage of Ravenna. The best time to visit the city is autumn or spring. At this time, the Marina di Ravenna resort is full of native Italians and tourists from other countries of the world.

What to see in Ravenna

Ravenna is one of the most ancient cities Italy. It, like its “big sister” Venice, was built on swamps, which later turned into a system of canals that cut the city like patterns on the palm of your hand. Thanks to its inaccessibility, the city for some time had the status of the capital of the Western Roman Empire. This significant event dates back to the 5th-8th centuries. There are, of course, countless attractions here. Let us highlight the main ones.

For young tourists it is worth understanding that a trip to Ravenna is an attempt to touch eternity and feel unprecedented energy ancient world. The 6th century Cathedral of St. Vitaly can crown the excursion. From the outside it is an inconspicuous building, but once inside you can appreciate the art of local architects. The columns support a two-tiered bypass. Mosaics with Christian motifs, two-story arcades - there is no other decoration like this in the whole world.

Next door is the National Museum, where the most expensive exhibit is considered to be a collection of coins from the ancient era.

Theodoric's tomb is a special place that defies time and power. The impenetrable white building is surrounded by a series of security systems. The relics of the powerful king of the Ostrogoths, Theodoric, rest here.

The port of Ravenna is one of the largest maritime transport facilities in the Mediterranean. This is where they start cruise ships traveling to Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Sicily. The best beaches Ravenna are Lido di Savio, Punta Marina Terme, Porto Corsini, Lido di Dante, Marina di Romea, Marina di Ravenna.

Ravenna Photos