Ravenna

Ravenna is a city in the Romagna zone of Emilia-Romagna.

Ravenna is the home of the Mosaic Basilica, with a delightful small town atmosphere plus other UNESCO World Heritage listed early Christian monuments.

• I.A.T. Ravenna, Piazza San Francesco, 7, +39 0544 35404. M-Sa 08:30-19:00, Su 09:30-17:30.

I.A.T. Ravenna, Piazza San Francesco, 7, +39 0544 35404. M-Sa 08:30-19:00, Su 09:30-17:30.

The early Christian monuments of Ravenna are included into UNESCO World Heritage list.

• Basilica di San Vitale, via Argentario, 22, +39 0544 541688. Apr-Sep 09:00-19:00; Mar, Oct 09:00-17:30; Nov-Feb 09:30-17:00. The huge church of San Vitale has mosaics everywhere. It was built in 547, it is considered a major monument in Western art history. €9,50 (includes Archiepiscopal Museum (Chapel of Sant’Andrea and the Ivory Throne), Neonian Baptistery, Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, Basilica of San Vitale, Mausoleum of Galla Placidia).
• Mausoleo di Galla Placidia, via Argentario, 22. Apr-Sep 09:00-19:00; Mar, Oct 09:00-17:30; Nov-Feb 09:30-17:00. Cross-shaped structure housing contains three sarcophagi. The largest one used to contain remains of Galla Placidia, sister of Honorius and Empress of Rome. Galla, who died in 450 AD, is one of history's most powerful women. €9,50 (see Basilica di San Vitale) plus extra supplement €2.
• Basilica di Sant' Apollinare Nuovo, via Di Roma, 52, +39 0544 541688. Apr-Sep 09:00-19:00; Mar, Oct 09:30-17:30; Nov-Feb 10:00-17:00. 6th-century basilica with amazing mosaics. €9,50 (see Basilica di San Vitale).
• Battistero Neoniano, Piazza Duomo, 1. Apr-Sep 09:00-19:00; Mar, Oct 09:30-17:30; Nov-Feb 10:00-17:00. Built c-ca 430 is the oldest building in Ravenna. €9,50 (see Basilica di San Vitale).
• Cappella di Sant'Andrea, Piazza Arcivescovado, 1. Apr-Sep 09:00-19:00; Mar, Oct 09:30-17:30; Nov-Feb 10:00-17:00. Built in the beginning of the 6th century, this is the only archiepiscopal chapel which retained its original look. The chapel is located in the building which hosts the Museo arcivescovile di Ravenna (Archiepiscopal Museum). €9,50 (see Basilica di San Vitale).
• Battistero degli Ariani, Piazzetta degli Ariani Ravenna, +39 0544 543724. Winter 08:30-16:30; Summer 08:30-19:30. Built by the Ostrogothic King Theodoric the Great between the end of the 5th century and the beginning of the 6th century. Free.
• Basilica di Sant'Apollinare in Classe, Via Romea Sud (approx. 5 km S of the city centre, +39 0544 543724. 08:30-19:30. Like many Ravenna churches, it is known for its exceptional mosaics. €5, for special exhibitions €6.50.

Basilica di San Vitale, via Argentario, 22, +39 0544 541688. Apr-Sep 09:00-19:00; Mar, Oct 09:00-17:30; Nov-Feb 09:30-17:00. The huge church of San Vitale has mosaics everywhere. It was built in 547, it is considered a major monument in Western art history. €9,50 (includes Archiepiscopal Museum (Chapel of Sant’Andrea and the Ivory Throne), Neonian Baptistery, Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, Basilica of San Vitale, Mausoleum of Galla Placidia).

Mausoleo di Galla Placidia, via Argentario, 22. Apr-Sep 09:00-19:00; Mar, Oct 09:00-17:30; Nov-Feb 09:30-17:00. Cross-shaped structure housing contains three sarcophagi. The largest one used to contain remains of Galla Placidia, sister of Honorius and Empress of Rome. Galla, who died in 450 AD, is one of history's most powerful women. €9,50 (see Basilica di San Vitale) plus extra supplement €2.

Basilica di Sant' Apollinare Nuovo, via Di Roma, 52, +39 0544 541688. Apr-Sep 09:00-19:00; Mar, Oct 09:30-17:30; Nov-Feb 10:00-17:00. 6th-century basilica with amazing mosaics. €9,50 (see Basilica di San Vitale).

Battistero Neoniano, Piazza Duomo, 1. Apr-Sep 09:00-19:00; Mar, Oct 09:30-17:30; Nov-Feb 10:00-17:00. Built c-ca 430 is the oldest building in Ravenna. €9,50 (see Basilica di San Vitale).

Cappella di Sant'Andrea, Piazza Arcivescovado, 1. Apr-Sep 09:00-19:00; Mar, Oct 09:30-17:30; Nov-Feb 10:00-17:00. Built in the beginning of the 6th century, this is the only archiepiscopal chapel which retained its original look. The chapel is located in the building which hosts the Museo arcivescovile di Ravenna (Archiepiscopal Museum). €9,50 (see Basilica di San Vitale).

Battistero degli Ariani, Piazzetta degli Ariani Ravenna, +39 0544 543724. Winter 08:30-16:30; Summer 08:30-19:30. Built by the Ostrogothic King Theodoric the Great between the end of the 5th century and the beginning of the 6th century. Free.

Basilica di Sant'Apollinare in Classe, Via Romea Sud (approx. 5 km S of the city centre, +39 0544 543724. 08:30-19:30. Like many Ravenna churches, it is known for its exceptional mosaics. €5, for special exhibitions €6.50.

• Mausoleo di Teodorico, Via delle Industrie, 14 (approx. 1 km north east from the city center, on the other side of the railway, +39 0544 684020. Winter 08:30-16:30; Summer 08:30-19:00. Built in the 6th century for the powerful king of Ostrogoths. The monument is also included in UNESCO World Heritage list. €4.
• Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra, Via Gian Battista Barbiani, 16, +39 0544 32512. Mar-Sep: 10:00-18:30; Oct-Apr: M-F 10:00-17:00, Sa Su 10:00-18:00. Some remains of Roman and Byzantine buildings were excavated at the beginning of 1990s. The major one — Domus — is a 14-rooms building with 3 courtyards. The floors in these underground rooms are covered with splendid polychrome mosaics, hence the name was given to this place Tappeti di Pietra (Stone Carpets). The entrance to the archaeological site is from the 18th century chiesa di Sant'Eufemia. Adjacent 15th century Oratorio dei Cento Preti is also a part of the museum. €4.
• Chiesa di San Giovanni Evangelista. Built 5th century by the Roman imperial princess Galla Placidia. Initially it was also decorated by mosaics, but virtually none of them has been survived since then.
• Basilica di San Francesco. Built in between 10th–11th centuries. Adjacent to the church there is tomb of Dante Alighieri (on the left from the facade).
• Chiesa dello Spirito Santo. Built in the 6th century as an Arian cathedral, it has been quite drastically altered since then, featuring now a Baroque façade.
• Chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore. A Baroque church, originating from the 6th century.
• Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista. It is another notable Baroque style, with a Middle Ages campanile.
• Basilika Santa Maria in Porto. A baroque church with 18th-century rich facade.
• Palazzo di Teodorico. These ruins were an entrance to Chiesa di San Salvatore ad Calchi. A mosaic floors from the excavations of the palace proper were installed there in 1923.
• Rocca Brancaleone, Via Rocca Brancaleone. It was built by Venetians in 1457. A public garden is laid out inside the walls of the fortress.
• Museo Nazionale, via San Vitale, 17. Tu-Su 08:30-19:30. It is located at the former Benedictine Monastery of San Vitale complex. The collection of the museum contains various archaeological and religious artefacts including 14th-century frescoes from the former chiesa delle Clarisse di Ravenna and mosaics from an archaeological site at Via d'Azeglio. €5 (in summer plus €7 for a seasonal exhibition).

Mausoleo di Teodorico, Via delle Industrie, 14 (approx. 1 km north east from the city center, on the other side of the railway, +39 0544 684020. Winter 08:30-16:30; Summer 08:30-19:00. Built in the 6th century for the powerful king of Ostrogoths. The monument is also included in [[UNESCO World Heritage]] list. €4.

Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra, Via Gian Battista Barbiani, 16, +39 0544 32512. Mar-Sep: 10:00-18:30; Oct-Apr: M-F 10:00-17:00, Sa Su 10:00-18:00. Some remains of Roman and Byzantine buildings were excavated at the beginning of 1990s. The major one — Domus — is a 14-rooms building with 3 courtyards. The floors in these underground rooms are covered with splendid polychrome mosaics, hence the name was given to this place Tappeti di Pietra (Stone Carpets). The entrance to the archaeological site is from the 18th century chiesa di Sant'Eufemia. Adjacent 15th century Oratorio dei Cento Preti is also a part of the museum. €4.

Chiesa di San Giovanni Evangelista. Built 5th century by the Roman imperial princess Galla Placidia. Initially it was also decorated by mosaics, but virtually none of them has been survived since then.

Basilica di San Francesco. Built in between 10th–11th centuries. Adjacent to the church there is tomb of Dante Alighieri (on the left from the facade).

Chiesa dello Spirito Santo. Built in the 6th century as an Arian cathedral, it has been quite drastically altered since then, featuring now a Baroque façade.

Chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore. A Baroque church, originating from the 6th century.

Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista. It is another notable Baroque style, with a Middle Ages campanile.

Basilika Santa Maria in Porto. A baroque church with 18th-century rich facade.

Palazzo di Teodorico. These ruins were an entrance to Chiesa di San Salvatore ad Calchi. A mosaic floors from the excavations of the [[w:Palace of Theoderic|palace proper]] were installed there in 1923.

Rocca Brancaleone, Via Rocca Brancaleone. It was built by Venetians in 1457. A public garden is laid out inside the walls of the fortress.

Museo Nazionale, via San Vitale, 17. Tu-Su 08:30-19:30. It is located at the former Benedictine Monastery of San Vitale complex. The collection of the museum contains various archaeological and religious artefacts including 14th-century frescoes from the former chiesa delle Clarisse di Ravenna and mosaics from an archaeological site at Via d'Azeglio. €5 (in summer plus €7 for a seasonal exhibition).

Take the time to walk around. The town is full of the most charming surprises, be it a cafe or the outstanding fashion shops.

As a city of mosaics in Ravenna you can buy ceramic souvenirs in mosaic style, stylish fashions from all over Italy are available in the small boutique style shops. You won't find big stores here as you would in Milan or Rome, but there is a small town charm to them.

If you want to do any shopping, be aware that the shops in Ravenna observe a siesta from about 12:30 to around 16:00 when the only things open are small bookshops and cafes.

You are in Italy; eat Italian food. There are many small pizzerias and trattorias in the town that serve excellent and inexpensive fare. A typical meal of pizza and a beer will cost €10-15. In the main square, the cafe serves excellent Cappuccino for about €2. The self-service cafe in the central market. (just north of the main square and the Hotel Byron) is excellent for lunches (€7.50-10).

• Ristorante Al Passatore, Via Guaccimanni 76 (opposite the Palazzo di Teodorico. An excellent example of a typical Romagnolo menu at local prices.
• Osteria Del Tempo Perso, Via Gamba 12 (just around the corner from Hotel Bisanzio..
• Radici, Viale Salvador Allende 56, +39 0544 201863.

The self-service cafe in the central market. (just north of the main square and the Hotel Byron) is excellent for lunches (€7.50-10).

Ristorante Al Passatore, Via Guaccimanni 76 (opposite the Palazzo di Teodorico. An excellent example of a typical Romagnolo menu at local prices.

Osteria Del Tempo Perso, Via Gamba 12 (just around the corner from Hotel Bisanzio..

Radici, Viale Salvador Allende 56, +39 0544 201863.