Ravenna
Imperial history and Divine Comedy
When I want to understand Italian history, I take a train and I go to Ravenna.
Arnaldo Momigliano
If you are visiting Emilia-Romagna for a few days, I definitely recommend a visit to Ravenna, the city of mosaics, with eight unique and exceptional monuments rightly acknowledged by UNESCO. Of all the cities where I practice my profession, Ravenna is the one that absolutely needs a good guide!
Ravenna is an artistic city of great depth and with a guided tour you can fully appreciate the testimonies of the different periods when Ravenna was the capital. A visit with a licensed guide allows you to admire from the best angles but above all to understand the mosaics unique in the world made up of a set of Palaeo-Christian, Gothic or Byzantine monuments. These buildings marvelously bear witness to the artistic skills of the Greek and Roman traditions, Christian iconography, Eastern and Western styles, which is why it is really worth having a professional guide to explain the symbols and techniques.
In addition, in 2021, Ravenna celebrates 700 years since the death of Dante Alighieri and many new tours are planned. A visit at its mausoleum is a must for all lovers of Italian and travel ...
And if you have a vehicle 6 kilometers away from the center of Ravenna, other archaeological wonders or further in the hills many charming villages and fabulous landscapes. ...
Here are some routes that we can also put together to make your day of visit varied, special and very enjoyable.
The eight UNESCO monuments of Ravenna
For all those marked with ° a single ticket is paid once € 10.50.
- The mausoleum of Galla Placidia °
- The neon baptistery °
- The Baptistery of the Aryans, 1 €
- The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo °
- The archiepiscopal chapel °
- The Basilica of San Vitale °
- * The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe, € 5
- * Theodoric mausoleum, € 4
7 and 8 are outside of the city.
Itineraries in Ravenna and surroundings
Ravenna Best seller
Must-see 3 hours
This guided walking tour and is more than recommended to discover and understand Ravenna and the mosaics. Together we discover 4 UNESCO monuments. The mausoleum of Galla Placidia with its starry vault, the basilica of San Vitale of the Byzantine era and its hidden symbols, the Neon baptistery and the basilica of Saint Apollinaire the New, wanted by king Ostrogoth Theodoric. Along the way we will see the tomb of Dante and explain the Divine Comedy ... At the end of the visit, you will surely want to immerse yourself in the Roman sagas and return to Ravenna with your friends ... a single reduced ticket purchased with your official guide gives you access to all these monuments and more.
Ravenna in one day
In depth 5 hours
This is my favorite guided tour in Ravenna. It allows me to better interact with visitors, to take the time necessary to answer questions and to add two more UNESCO monuments to the BEST SELLER walking tour above. You can see : the Arian Baptistery, the Archiepiscopal Museum with the ivory chair and the Chapel of Sant 'Andrea, or the Domus dei tappeti.
A single reduced ticket purchased with your official guide gives you access to all these monuments but the Arian Baptistery ( actually 1 €) and the Domus ( actually 7 €)
Monuments outside Ravenna
In depth 2,5 hours
This guided tour just outside Ravenna includes Theodoric's mausoleum and the Basilica of San Apollinare in Classe, an excellent opportunity to also stop at the archaeological park of Classe and its brand new museum full of surprising discoveries and the rest of the ancient roman byzantine port ... Indeed, the history of Ravenna begins here!
Mosaic workshop in Ravenna
In depth 4 hours
See details the Experience section :A laboratory where you will create a mosaic under the direction of a master. Possibility to pair with a guided tour.
Brisighella
In depth 2 hours
Vehicle required. With this excursion in the hills of Romagna we discover a picturesque medieval village with the Old Donkey Street and the Mecca of olive oil where you can taste and visit an oil mill.