What is equal in history. Ravenna is a city of centuries of history and a tribute to the Christian faith. What to see in Ravenna on your own

Being a hardened and stern people, they never looked for easy ways - including when building their cities. Plain? In no case. An archipelago of small islands half-submerged by the sea, indented by natural channels? Yes! Moreover, the close proximity of the coast created excellent prerequisites for the creation of a fleet. Who would have thought that after tens of centuries the situation would change completely, and Ravenna, a city that was created as a military port, would impress not with the power of warships, but with unique examples of early Christian art.

Ravenna, like, saw the light in marshy lands and in sea lagoons - until now, many of the city's buildings in their foundations keep the remains of those same wooden piles. However, the centuries went on as usual, and the ambitious plans of the Romans - who themselves are already gone as such - have sunk into oblivion along with the wooden foundations of the houses. The land was slowly reclaiming its positions, and today the distance from the city to the sea is already 7 kilometers. However, during its heyday, Ravenna was considered one of the most impregnable cities, and therefore existed in the status of the capital of the Western Roman Empire from the 5th to the 8th century AD. Later, the city fell into decay, having experienced some rise only during the Renaissance - Dante himself spent the last years of his life here. And in 1860, Ravenna became part of the Italian kingdom, and from that period continues to live quietly and peacefully according to its own, special laws of hospitality of small Italian towns.

The first impression when meeting with Ravenna, I must say, is not the most enchanting for the soul and eyes. The sea of ​​sweet speeches about the concentration of cultural and historical monuments, going off scale beyond all reasonable limits, is absolutely not confirmed at first glance. A noisy train station, unremarkable street development, the hustle and bustle of most European cities... Nevertheless, it's worth tempering your ardor and looking at Ravenna a little differently, not from the generally accepted tourist point of view. Only then, plunging headlong into the local atmosphere, you will be able to discover Ravenna with a capital "R" - a majestic city in the distant past, the capital of a dead empire, whose ghost haunts historians to this day.

The thing is that Ravenna is far from being as luxurious as her sister Venice, located a little to the north along the same Adriatic coast. When Ravenna was going through hard times, the city treasury did not have enough money for marble for finishing buildings - which, in a sense, preserved it in its original form for future generations. Built of brick, it was not subjected to dismantling of valuable rocks when it was necessary to build or restore cathedrals and palaces in Milan or Rome. Therefore, local sights really bear the imprint of the Middle Ages - the "dark" time, from which, according to the generally accepted opinion, it breathes something scary and gloomy. And although there is no smoke without fire (remember the Holy Inquisition), having been in Ravenna, you will understand that even such an era leaves something beautiful in history.

Ravenna street on a rainy day. Photo moitury.ru

In order to appreciate all this beauty with your own eyes, you need to be mentally prepared. Going on vacation to Ravenna, you need to clearly imagine that this is not a party place, and you are coming here to touch eternity.

Of course, it is best to go to the discovery of Ravenna by private car. For travelers, such an option is available, how to rent a car. By ordering a car in advance, while still at home, you can save a lot. "Italy in Russian" advises you to turn to the services of the popular rentalcars gigantic service, multifunctional and simple, which will allow you to choose the most suitable car at home and receive it immediately upon arrival in Italy.
For those who are used to convenience, we recommend ordering a taxi in Ravenna with a Russian-speaking driver. It is possible to pick up and order a taxi through the convenient Kiwitaxi service: You just need to choose where and where you need to get from. Here you can order a transfer from any airport in Italy. At the specified time, at the specified place, your personal driver will be waiting for you with a sign with your name.

It is best to start with the Church of St. Vitaliy - perhaps the most interesting building in the city, founded in the 6th century. This brick octagon looks maybe a bit cumbersome. However, it is worth going inside - and you definitely have never seen anything like this in your life ... The dome is supported by eight internal columns, around which there is a two-story bypass. On the vault - a unique mosaic of biblical motifs. Between the pillars there are two-story arcades curved towards the walls of the structure. This technique dramatically increases the interior space. It becomes completely incomprehensible to the human eye how so many interior details could fit in not the largest room. According to legend, it is here that the ashes of St. Vitaly are located - the Alexandrian monk earned money in hard labor, after which he went to a brothel. But not at all for what many thought - he gave what he received to fallen women so that they could improve their financial condition and no longer engage in their craft. When the monk died, dozens of former harlots came to honor his memory - after which all the inhabitants of the city were convinced of the greatness of Vitaly's spirit. Here, nearby, is the National Museum, which contains an extensive collection of coins of the Roman period, there are unique samples of ivory carving and ancient weapons. Across the road you can see a real monument of the 5th century - the mausoleum of Galla Placidia, a Roman princess. And although most historians are sure that the ashes of Galla are not here, this makes the appearance of the structure no less impressive. Carl Gustav Jung was of the same opinion. The great psychoanalyst was generally delighted with Ravenna - to a large extent because of her mosaics, in which he saw a dialogue between the conscious and the unconscious. And he even wrote several works based on the “strange experience of Ravenna”.

The historic center of Ravenna is literally saturated with the spirit of the early Middle Ages - squat, powerful buildings stand out against the backdrop of small residential houses painted in soft colors, shops and cafes. For example, the Neoniano Baptistery in Piazza Duomo. Among all the buildings that are decorated with Byzantine mosaics, this is the oldest. Countless rites of baptism of the inhabitants of the city were held here - you can personally inspect the amazing ancient marble font. Nearby is the Archbishop's Palace, on the ground floor of which there is a museum of the same name. The most amazing and ancient exhibits (6th century) are the "Maximian Throne", made entirely of ivory, and the silver Greek "St. Agnell's Cross".

Baptistery of Neoniano. Photo artclassic.edu.ru

Well, now it's time to head to the local cult object - the tomb of the great Dante Alighieri, Tomba di Dante. Marble walls and the image of the poet on the pulpit became Ravenna's hallmark. The mausoleum was erected in the 15th century, only a century and a half after the death of the author of the Divine Comedy. Florence, in which the poet was born, realized a century later, and began to demand the extradition of the remains of Dante. Ravenna - first of all, the Franciscan monks - rested, and did everything in order not to give in. As a result, although the poet was not elevated to the rank of a saint, the worship of his talent is quite comparable. Down the street are several ancient crypts with mosaic floors. Local enterprising citizens have turned this feature into a good source of income. In these crypts, due to their location, the floors are constantly flooded with water. For the opportunity to look at the mosaic floors of the lower floor, against which goldfish swim, you will have to pay half a euro.

The tomb of Dante is one of the cult places in Ravenna. Photo saga.ua

Ravenna would not be the "sister" of Venice, if not for the water. Despite the fact that the sea is fairly remote from the city, no one canceled groundwater. They form whole lakes here, and the deep cellars of many old houses are constantly filled with water. Oddly enough, but this circumstance does not harm the condition of the structures at all, on the contrary, experts say that the drainage of swampy places could cause great damage to the architectural fund. The water level in the basements of buildings ranges from 30 to 130 centimeters, and pumps for pumping are only in the church of St. Vitaliy. In general, this is quite original - to see, for example, in the church of San Francesco, a kind of "aquarium".

The same "aquarium". Photo panoramio.com

There is also a special attraction in Ravenna - the tomb of Theodoric. This building is unlike any of the many architectural monuments of the city. White, impregnable, it is surrounded by a fence and automatic ticket control in addition to its formidable appearance. The inspirer of this (not fences and control, but a monumental exterior) was the king of the Ostrogoths Theodoric. According to the principle of the Egyptian pharaohs, the royal person decided not to delay the last refuge, and build it during her lifetime. This is perhaps the only building in the city built not from burnt bricks, but from limestone - hence the white color unusual for Ravenna. And the characteristics of the structure are also unique in their own way. What is the roof of the tomb alone - a huge stone slab, specially brought from the other side of the Adriatic Sea, from Istria. A block with a diameter of 10.5 m and a height of 2.5 m was transported suspended between two ships. After this fact, the scale of the work becomes clear, which confirms the already proven truth: Italian architects are among the best in history.

Tomb of Theodoric, illuminated by the setting sun. Photo photo.tut.ua

The only - and quite significant - disappointment awaits in Ravenna those who wish to survey the city's attractions from the top points. Despite the fact that there are quite a lot of campanillas (i.e. towers) in the city, they are closed for tourist visits. So you have to look for other ways, fully using your own imagination.

Today's Ravenna practically does not differ from other small towns in the Italian North: the center is filled with offices and shops, schools, kindergartens and other infrastructure are outside the historical part. There is not so much greenery here - the exception is the city park and the boulevard next to the station. However, the dignity of the city should not be underestimated either. It has its own, inherent only in Ravenna, little joys. Evening walks along the atmospheric ancient streets, an obligatory cup of strong coffee, visiting miniature squares where small flower and vegetable markets operate - the contemplation of modern Ravenna is no less enjoyable than the great past of this city.

The main attraction of Ravenna is its mosaics. It is everywhere here - in temples, houses, mausoleums. Her radiance and depth of performance amaze, fascinate, enchant. But Ravenna is famous not only for its unique wall decoration. There is a house where Byron lived, the grave of Dante, the mausoleums of ancient rulers, as well as a lot of temples, whose age is one and a half thousand years.

Ravenna is a city located in the east of Italy. It is the capital of the province of Ravenna, which is located in the region (Emilia-Romagna). The province borders on the three largest regions of its region: in the west with (Bologna), in the north - with (Ferrara), in the south - with Forlì-Cesena (Forlì-Cesena). On the east side of Ravenna is the Adriatic Sea (mare Adriatico), which is part of the Mediterranean Sea (mar Mediterraneo).

More than a millennium ago, the city was located directly on the coast of mare Adriatico. But over time, the waters receded, and as a result of silting, a lowland formed. Now Ravenna is connected to the Adriatic Sea by the Candiano Canal (Canale Candiano).

The area of ​​​​Ravenna is 652 km2, and the number of inhabitants exceeds 150 thousand people. The historical center is located on 2 km2. Previously, it was surrounded by fortress walls, of which only the gate remained. And where the lines of fortifications used to stretch, now there is a boulevard ring on three sides, while on the west there is a railway.

After in the XIII century. on the People's Square (Piazza del Popolo) a house was built for the ruler of the city, the residence of Bernardino Flights (la residenza di Bernardino da Polenta), it became the main square of Ravenna. A few years later, the house of the rector of Romagna (palazzo del Rettore di Romagna) appeared here.

Paguro platform

Not far from Ravenna, in the depths of the Adriatic Sea, there is a very interesting place for divers. This is the Paguro Platform, which is located on the seabed opposite Porto Corsini. This is the name of a small town located on the site where the Candiano Canal flows into the sea.

The platform appeared in the middle of the last century after gas reserves were discovered in the bowels of the Adriatic Sea. In the autumn of 1965, a disaster occurred off the coast of Ravenna: a gas eruption occurred during work. As a result, a fire broke out on the platform, after which it exploded and drowned, plunging to a depth of 25 m. Three engineers died, a column of water rose 30 m above sea level, and a huge crater appeared at the bottom. The eruption was stopped only three months later.

The platform was not removed from the bottom of the sea - and since then it has been a popular place among diving enthusiasts, because in addition to the sunken structure, you can clearly see the inhabitants of the sea who have found refuge here. Most often here you can see starfish, lobsters, shrimps, crabs, eels, sea ruffs.

How to get there

Despite the fact that Ravenna is located near the sea and is connected to it by a canal, you can get here by sea only on a cruise ship or yacht. Ferries are currently not in service. There is also no airport near the city, so people who fly to Italy by plane will have to travel with transfers. There are three airports at a distance of 90 km from the city, from which you can get to Ravenna by bus, train, but the most convenient way is by car. Transfer can be ordered at.

If a decision is made to get to Ravenna by train, the train schedule can be viewed here:. Buses from different cities of Italy and Europe also go here.

By plane

Closest to Ravenna, at a distance of 40 km, is the airport in Forli (Aeroporto di Forlì). A little further - in Bologna (Bologna) and (Rimini). There is also (Venezia), but the road from it to Ravenna by land will take from two to three and a half hours.

Federico Fellini International Airport (Aeroporto internazionale Federico Fellini), which is located in Rimini, separates 70 km from Ravenna. The Aerostazione is within walking distance of the airport. From here you need to take a bus to the bus station 4 Rimini Fs, which is located on Via Dante Alighieri. Then you need to walk to the Rimini railway station or the bus station, which are located on the same square, on Piazzale Cesare Battisti. From here, an hour's drive to Ravenna by train or bus. You can also order a transfer from the airport on the website

By train

The Ravenna railway station (Stazione Di Ravenna) is located at Piazza Luigi Carlo Farini, 13, ten minutes walk from the center. Trains come here that run between the cities of Rimini - Ferrara (Rimini - Ferrara), Ravenna - Faenza (Ravenna - Faenza), Ravenna - Castel Bolognese (Ravenna - Castel Bolognese). There are also trains to Bologna, Venice (Venezia), (Verona).

If the traveler travels from Rome (Roma), it must be taken into account that the direct train travels only once a day. Therefore, many get with a change in Bologna. From (Milano) there is no direct communication with Ravenna.

By bus

There are three bus stations in Ravenna where suburban, intercity and international buses arrive. Therefore, you first need to clarify exactly where the bus will stop, especially since stops are also possible in other places. The final bus station can be at:

• Piazzale Aldo Moro - from the back of the railway station;
• Piazza and Viale Farini - located right next to each other, opposite the railway station;
• Via Trieste.

by sea

But not far from Ravenna, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, where the waters of the Candiano Canal flow into it, there are two cities Porto Corsini and Marina di Ravenna. They are separated from each other by a canal, which can be crossed by ferry. There is a Cruise Port in Porto Corsini, where cruise ships stop, including those that go to Greece, Cyprus, Turkey. In Marina di Ravenna it is possible to moor yachts. From here to Ravenna half an hour by bus, but it is better to book a transfer.

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Early Christian monuments Ravenna(Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna) - a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Ravenna was the capital of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century, and later, until the 8th century, the center of Byzantine possessions in Italy. It has a unique collection of early Christian mosaics and monuments. All eight buildings included in the heritage site - the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, the Baptistery of the Orthodox and Arians, the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, the Archbishop's Chapel, the Mausoleum of Theodoric, the Church of San Vitale and the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe - were built in V- 6th century They are distinguished by their great artistic skill, which is based on a skillful combination of Greco-Roman traditions, Christian icon painting techniques and Eastern and Western styles. Modern Ravenna is a city on the Padana Plain in the Emilia-Romagna region, 10 km. from the Adriatic coast with a population of 220 thousand people.

I was able to see 7 of the 8 buildings included in the Heritage List. Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe(Basilica di S.Apollinare in Classe) is located outside the city, and I just physically didn’t have time to get there.
So let's meet the rest of the family:
Perhaps the most famous and visited building from the List is Basilica of San Vitale(Basilica di S.Vitale), It stands out among the eight early Christian monuments of Ravenna for the perfection of its mosaics, which are unparalleled outside of Constantinople.

The basilica was built in the middle of the 6th century. and consecrated in honor of the early Christian martyr St. Vitaly of Milan.

All the interior mosaic decoration of the church was created simultaneously in 546-547.

Mausoleum of Galla Placidia(Mausoleo di Galla Placidia) is located near the Basilica of San Vitale.
The mausoleum dates from approximately the second quarter of the 5th c. and decorated with the earliest surviving Ravenna mosaics.

Although the construction is attributed to Galla Placidia, daughter of Emperor Theodosius the Great, the mausoleum did not actually become her burial place.

Arian Baptistery(Battisterio degli Ariani) (the place of baptism) was built at the turn of the 5th and 6th centuries. by order of Theodoric the Great, who was a supporter of Arianism. The name "Arian" was given to distinguish it from another baptistery built by Bishop Neon. Arianism is one of the teachings in Christianity in the 4th-6th centuries AD, which affirmed the created nature of God the Son.

In its turn, Orthodox Baptistery(Battisterio degli Ortodossi) or the Baptistery of Neon (Battisterio Neoniano) is the oldest (5th century) surviving building of the city and one of the most significant Byzantine mosaic monuments in the world.

Archbishop's Chapel(Cappella Arcivescovile) or St. Andrew's Chapel (Capella di S.Andrea) - the house church of equal bishops, built at the end of the 5th - beginning of the 6th centuries. and dedicated to the Apostle Andrew the First-Called. It is located in the building of the former Archbishop's Palace (now the Archbishop's Museum) and, unfortunately, photography is prohibited here. But you can admire the building of the palace.

Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo(Basilica di S.Apollinare Nuovo) was built at the end of the 5th - beginning of the 6th centuries. Later (in the IX century) it was consecrated in honor of the heavenly patron of Ravenna, St. Apoliinarius. The basilica is famous for its unique mosaics.

Mausoleum of Theodoric Great (Mausoleo di Teodorico). It was built by King Theodoric in 520 for his future grave. This is the only surviving monument of Gothic architecture and the only surviving tomb of a barbarian monarch.

In addition to the buildings shown, included in the World Heritage List, there are quite a few other interesting buildings in Ravenna. Here, for example, are the ruins of the palace of Theodoric the Great (built at the end of the 5th century). This name has already appeared several times in our story. A little more - Theodoric the Great was the king of the Ostrogoths. In 489, he invaded the borders of modern Italy and by 493 had conquered the entire Apennine Peninsula and Sicily, the Pre-Alpine regions and Dalmatia. From 493 to 526 he was the sole ruler of the kingdom of the Ostrogoths with its capital in Ravenna.

Church of Santa Maria Maggiore (Chiesa di S.Maria Maggiore), originally built in the VI century. and rebuilt after destruction in the 17th century.

Church of the Holy Cross (Chiesa di S.Croce), built by Galla Placidia (ruins).

Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ (Duomo della Santa Resurrezione di Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo) is the cathedral church of Ravenna. The first cathedral was built at the beginning of the 5th century. By 1733, the building became dilapidated and was completely dismantled, retaining only the cylindrical bell tower of the 10th century. In 1749, the solemn consecration of the cathedral took place.

Basilica di San Francesco. Initially, in its place was a small church of the 5th century. the buildings. In the X-XI centuries, it was completely rebuilt and was consecrated in honor of St. Peter (During the period of reconstruction, a 33 m high bell tower was added to the basilica. In the 13th century, the basilica was transferred to the Franciscan monks and received its current dedication in honor of St. Francis of Assisi.
In 1321, Dante Alighieri was buried in the basilica, initially buried in its outer portico, and then in the adjacent mausoleum. Tombstone of the poet in the mausoleum.

Actually Dante's tomb (Tomba di Dante) was erected in 1780.

Courtyard next to the tomb.

Garibaldi Square (Piazza Garibaldi) and a monument to him.

On the main square of the city - People's (Piazza del Poppolo).
Church of Santa Maria Del Suffragio (S.Maria del Suffragio) (beginning of the 18th century).

Basilica of St. Mary in Porto (Basilica di S.Maria in Porto) (XVI - XVII centuries).

Church of St. John the Theologian (Chiesa di S.Giovanni Evangelista). It was built in 425 by Gala Placidia and rebuilt several times: in the 10th century. a bell tower was built. It was badly damaged during the bombing of Ravenna during World War II, after which it was completely restored in 1951.

Venetian fortress Brancaleone (Rocca Brancaleone) (XV century).

Everything that is momentary, everything that is perishable,
You buried for centuries.
You sleep like a baby, Ravenna,
Sleepy eternity in the hands.

Slaves through Roman gates
They no longer import mosaics.
And the gilding burns
In the walls of cool basilicas.

From slow kisses of moisture
Softer than the rough vault of tombs,
Where the sarcophagi grow green
Holy monks and queens.

Silent grave halls
Shady and cold is their threshold,
So that the black gaze of blessed Galla,
Waking up, did not burn the stone.

Military battle and resentment
Forgotten and erased the bloody trail,
To the resurrected voice of Placis
I did not sing the passions of the past years.

The sea has receded far away
And the roses cordoned off the shaft,
So that Theodoric sleeping in the tomb
I did not dream about the storm of life.

And the grape deserts
Houses and people are all coffins.
Only copper solemn Latin
Sings on the stoves like a trumpet.

Only in a fixed and quiet gaze
Ravenna girls, sometimes
Sorrow for the irrevocable sea
It goes by in slow succession.

Only at night, leaning towards the valleys,
Keeping score for the coming centuries,
Dante's shadow with an eagle profile
He sings to me about the New Life.

Alexander Blok, Ravenna, 1909

105 years have passed, and Ravenna, it seems, is still the same ...

Ravenna (Italy) - the most detailed information about the city with a photo. The main attractions of Ravenna with descriptions, guides and maps.

City of Ravenna

Ravenna is a city in northeastern Italy in the Emilia-Romagna region. It is located on a low plain near the confluence of the Ronco and Monte rivers, ten kilometers from the Adriatic Sea, with which it is connected by a canal. Ravenna is a city with an interesting and rich history, a true treasure trove of art, history and culture. Eight sites of Late Antiquity are included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Ravenna is one of the largest cities in the Emilia-Romagna region. It is conveniently located between Bologna and San Marino and close to Florence and the Adriatic resorts, making it a very popular tourist destination. But what makes Ravenna unique is the sights of the ancient Byzantine period, which are among the best preserved in Italy. In addition, the city is known as the place of death of the legendary Dante Alighieri - one of the most mysterious poets of the Middle Ages, the founder of the modern Italian language.

Geography and climate

The province of Ravenna is located in the east of the Emilia-Romagna region, 10 km from the Adriatic coast. The Cagnano Canal connects the city with the sea. The province is located on the Padana Plain in its lowland part.

The climate of Ravenna is typical of the southeastern Po Valley, with maritime influences. Summer is quite hot with an average temperature of 23-25 ​​degrees. Winter is mild with an average temperature of 3-5 degrees. Although cold easterly winds can bring frosts and snowfalls.

Practical information

1. The population is 171 thousand people.
2. The area is 653.82 square kilometers.
3. The language is Italian.
4. Currency - euro.
5. Time - Central European UTC +1, summer +2.
6. Visa - Schengen.
7. There are many small stylish shops in the historic center. Although here you will not find large shops and shopping centers, as in Milan or Rome.
8. Ravenna is a city friendly to budget travelers. There are many small pizzerias and trattorias that offer delicious and inexpensive Italian cuisine.

Story

Ravenna is an ancient city with a rich and complex history. After the collapse of the Roman Empire from the beginning of the 5th century, the city was the capital of the Western Roman Empire, later the state of the Ostrogoths and the kingdom of the Lombards.

Initially, the Etruscan and Umbrian tribes lived in the province. Ravenna became part of the Roman Empire in the 2nd century BC. Under Octavian Augustus, a port was built here, which later grew into a city. In 402, after the Visigoths besieged Mediolan (Milan), Ravenna became the capital of the Western Roman Empire. In 476 the empire ceased to exist. Also, this date is considered the end of the period of Antiquity.

At the end of the 5th century, Ravenna was conquered by the Ostrogoth king Theodoric, who made the city the capital of his state. But the state of the Ostrogoths did not last long. Already in 540, Ravenna became a province of Byzantium. In the middle of the 8th century the city was conquered by the Lombards. Although this kingdom also did not last long. In the middle of the 9th century, Ravenna came under the control of the Pope.

From the 9th to the 13th century, the city was ruled by archbishops. In the 13th century, Ravenna became the fiefdom of Traversari, and later yes of Polenta. In the 15th century, Ravenna became part of the Republic of Venice. At the beginning of the 16th century, the city again fell under the rule of the Pope, and was also plundered and burned by French troops. For the next three centuries, Ravenna was part of the Papal States until it became part of a united Italy in the 19th century.

How to get there

In the town of Forli, 20 km from Ravenna, there is a small airport that serves several local destinations. Major airports are located in Bologna, Venice and Florence. Easily accessible to the city and by car via the A14 motorway. There is also a train station, the main directions of which are Bologna and Rimini.

Attractions

Ravenna is the magnificent sights of late Antiquity, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ancient churches and basilicas, old streets and wide squares. But this city is famous not only for historical and cultural monuments. Nearby are the resort towns of the Adriatic, which can offer a great vacation.

The neon baptistery (also often referred to as Orthodox) is the oldest building in Ravenna and an extremely important religious site. The baptistery was built in the 5th century on the territory of a complex of Roman baths. The structure has an octagonal design and a rather simple appearance.

But the main treasure lies inside, where there is a stunning series of ancient Byzantine colored mosaics depicting religious scenes such as the baptism of Christ and the procession of the twelve apostles.

The Basilica of San Vitale is another ancient structure located near the Baptistery of Neon. The construction of the church dates from the first half of the 6th century. The basilica has a similar exterior and architecture, in which a large octagonal central dome stands out. The interior of San Vitale has some amazing mosaics and decorations that are considered one of the finest examples of Byzantine art in Italy.

The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia is another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ravenna, built in the 40s of the 5th century. This structure, simple on the outside, offers magnificent interior pieces, considered one of the best preserved and artistically perfect examples of mosaics in Italy. The mausoleum was created for the sister of the emperor of the Western Roman Empire, Honoria, but in the end she was buried in Rome.

The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo was built by Theodoric, king of the Ostrogoths. The church is located in the eastern part of the old town, easily accessible on foot. To the right of the building is a large bell tower, and the front entrance is decorated with stone arches. Inside, the basilica boasts magnificent mosaic decoration, documenting the stylistic, iconographic and ideological evolution of Byzantine wall mosaics from the era of Theodoric to Justinian. The mosaics depict scenes from the New Testament.

The Basilica di San Francesco is located between the Neon Baptistery and the Basilica of San Apollinare. The church was built in the 9th century, and the bell tower in the 10th century. Despite the fact that the interior of the basilica is quite simple, it attracts visitors with a mysterious crypt and a bishop's tomb.

The Mausoleum of Theodoric is the burial place of the king of the Ostrogoths, who chose Ravenna as the stronghold of his kingdom. This building with a 1500-year history is located in the park of the same name. The roof of this structure is made of Istrian stone. The interior of the tomb is quite simple.

Dante's Tomb is a simple marble structure that houses the remains of one of Italy's most legendary poets. The mausoleum was built much later than Alighieri's death.

The Arian baptistery was built at the turn of the 5th-6th centuries by Theodoric. This inconspicuous building is located in the immediate vicinity of Piazza del Popolo, next to the church of Chiesa dullo Duto Santo. Inside the baptistery is beautifully decorated with mosaics. Particularly impressive is the highly detailed ceiling mosaic depicting the baptism of Jesus Christ.

The Archbishop's Chapel is a chapel of Raven bishops, built at the beginning of the 6th century under Theodoric. The interior is beautifully decorated with mosaics.

Sant'Apollinare in Classe is a 6th century basilica located outside the old town. It was built over the grave of the first equal bishop, Saint Apollinaris. It is a masterpiece of Byzantine art. The interior of the church is decorated with mosaics from the Justinian period.

• National Museum in the building of an old Benedictine monastery. It exhibits a fine collection of art, artifacts and relics from different periods of the region's history.
• Marina di Ravenna is a marina to the northeast of the city. On the northern edge there is a harbor with many fishing and sailing boats, and on the southern edge there is a long stretch of beach with beautiful golden sand.
• Cesenatico is a charming seaside resort town southeast of Ravenna, half an hour away.
• Piazza del Popolo is one of the busiest and most significant city squares. Located in the center of the historic Old Town, within walking distance of the Basilica of San Francesco and the Basilica of San Apollinare. The square stands out for its beautiful architecture and many restaurants.
• Mirabilandia is a theme park with a variety of attractions. One of the most visited in Italy.
• Municipal tower 39 meters high, built in the 12th century. Located at the address - Via Ponte Marino, 2.

Ravenna- a seaside resort, once the center of the Eastern Roman Empire, today it is a small but very beautiful Italian city with its own unique features. Many attractions are concentrated here, some of which are today included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. But Ravenna is best known for its amazing mosaics, which, as before, adorn 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 combines the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, built 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.

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

From an architectural point of view, this is a very contrasting structure. A modest, small building, having a cruciform shape, made of red brick, amazes with the magnificence 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 "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 king of the Ostrogoths, who ruled in those days in Ravenna. This mausoleum is the only surviving creation of the Ostrogoths, in connection with which, 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 building with a dome made of solid stone, it is installed on a ten-sided pedestal. A distinctive feature of this building is that, compared to the chic 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 king of the Ostrogoths 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 erected 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 got its name, but outwardly it is very similar to the baptistery of Neon (Orthodox). In the middle of the 6th century, the oratory of the Virgin Mary was made from the baptistery, when Arianism began to be suppressed. In 1996, along with other monuments of 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 and consists of two tiers. The first one has no windows, only the entrance to the room and several semicircular ledges. On the second tier there are small windows in the form of arches.

Inside, the dome of the baptistery is decorated with a mosaic depicting the 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 just a few meters from the Arian Baptistery. This is another early Christian building from the beginning of the 6th century. The church was erected during the reign of the Ostrogoth king Theodoric. However, like many religious buildings in Ravenna, after the death of the Ostrogothic king, the Church of the Holy Spirit came under the auspices 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: the 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.
• Entrance during worship from 10:00 to 12:00 on Sundays. Tourist visits are prohibited.

neonian baptistery

The neonian baptistery, neon baptistery or orthodox baptistery are all names for the same religious building in Ravenna. The baptistery got its name in honor of Bishop Neon. This step was necessary in order to be able to distinguish between the two baptistery in Ravenna, which are very similar in appearance to each other.

The Baptistery of Neon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as one of the early Christian buildings, in addition, it is decorated with magnificent mosaics on the inside, comparable to those in the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia or in the Basilica of San Vitale. It covers all the walls and the dome of the baptistery. Inside 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 in 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 where 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 is visible. There are semi-circular windows along the perimeter of the building. Next to the basilica is a high round tower.

At the entrance to the basilica, the first thing that attracts attention is the colonnade of two rows. In this way, the interior 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 Theodoric, king of the Ostrogoths, 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 form of an elongated (Greek) cross. Inside the church is decorated with mosaics, where you can see floral 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, which 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 "Mosaic of Ravenna" - 9.50 euros, reduced cost - 8.50 euros. Entrance for children under 10 years old is free.

Tomb of Dante

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. Dante spent the last years of 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 for centuries, it was decided to transport the ashes of the poet to Florence. But the sarcophagus brought from Ravenna was empty. And all because the inhabitants of Ravenna did not want to part with their beloved poet, so the monks of the Church of San Francesco secretly removed the remains of Dante and hid them on the territory of the monastery. After that, the ashes of the poet 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 rather 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, there 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 of the 5th century. It was originally consecrated in honor of St. Peter, however, in 1261, after it passed to the Franciscans, the basilica acquired its current name.

This church is known not only to the inhabitants 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 of 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 is a crypt with a mosaic floor, which is now below the groundwater level, and real goldfish swim in the resulting water cover.
To date, the monastery does not operate, 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, today only ruins remain of the royal palace, next to which the basilica was located.

During its existence, the basilica has undergone some changes, in particular, a high bell tower was added in the 10th-11th centuries, and later, in the 16th century, the facade of the building began to be decorated with a white marble portico. Most of the mosaics of the Arian period have been lost without compensation, but you can admire no less beautiful works of later times.

Of particular interest to tourists are the frescoes (in the first chapel from the entrance), which depict scenes from 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.
• Entrance: single ticket "Mosaic of Ravenna" - 9.50 euros, reduced cost - 8.50 euros. Entrance for children under 10 years old is free.

Basilica of San Vitale

The Basilica of San Vitale is the most beautiful of the eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites located 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 middle of the 6th century. The architecture of Byzantium made a great impression on the bishop, in connection with which, he decided to embody all the most beautiful things he saw in his native city. No doubt he succeeded. White marble walls, an abundance of light, an unusual design, amazingly beautiful mosaics, the plots and craftsmanship of which can be talked about for hours, will not leave indifferent any tourist who stepped over 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.
• Entrance: single ticket "Mosaic of Ravenna" - 9.50 euros, reduced cost - 8.50 euros. Entrance 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 XIII century, the palace of the ruler of the city, Palazzo del Podesta and the Palace of the papal governor, were built, and the landscaped space between the palaces turned into Piazza del Comun. In the middle of the 15th century, after the Venetians came to power, the Venetian Palace was erected next to the square, where the City Hall was located.

Over the centuries 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 an 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 in Ravenna. The city's cathedral was built on the site of the first cathedral built 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 adorn 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, 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 rather new archaeological discovery. In 1993, during the construction of an underground garage, traces of ancient mosaics were found. This place is called the museum of carpets, but there is not a single carpet there. The fact is that the floor is decorated with amazing mosaic ornaments, when you look at it, you get the impression that there really is a patterned carpet on the floor.

Although the museum is not very large, the exhibits deserve attention, especially since it is located on the way to the most famous sights 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 photos 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

The National Museum is 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 received its current name. Most of the exhibits are 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. The reliquary (5th century) with interesting carvings is of particular importance for the museum.

Painting in the museum is represented by various frescoes of the Middle Ages, of which eight frescoes made by Pietro da Rimini in the first half of the 14th century are of great value. There are also exhibits of later times: a collection of paintings and fabrics that can be attributed to the XVII-XVIII centuries.

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

• Address: Via San Vitale, 17
• Entrance: Adult -5 euros, preferential -2.50 euros, under 18s - free of charge
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 8:30 to 19:30, ticket offices close at 19:00, closed on Mondays, January 1, May 1 and December 25

Classense Library

The Classense Library is an unusual library. This is the preserved library of the monks, which was created in the 17th century. It belongs to the Abbey of Di Classe, and the books that fill 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 are various codices, incunabula, rare and old books, historical paintings and photographs. In total, if we take into account modern literature, the Classense library fund has about 800 thousand items.

This majestic temple of culture is worth a visit for every tourist. It is not necessary to take books to read. It is enough to visit the main hall, where time has stopped. It has two tiers of bookshelves decorated with floral motifs. On the white walls of the hall, portraits and historical scenes are depicted, enclosed in elegant stucco frames, as well as statues of great men.

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

Fortress of Brancaleone

The fortress of Brancaleone was built for almost two decades, 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 the first glance, everyone will understand that this is a very powerful structure that will withstand even the strongest onslaught of the enemy.

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

The walls of the fortress are made of red brick. Of the decorative elements, two bas-reliefs have survived: the lion of St. Mark and the Virgin Mary with the baby.

At the end of the twentieth century, the territory of the fortress was landscaped: a playground was built, a stage was erected for musical performances, 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 has not very large external dimensions, but a rather spacious auditorium, designed for 56 seats.

The planetarium building is a one-story structure. The lower part of the building is lined with large white shawls 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, slightly angular edges.

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

• 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. No wonder it is considered that this amusement park is the largest and most interesting in all of Italy. It is spread over 850,000 square meters, and is divided into three parts, where most of it is given over to parking spaces, 300,000 square meters is a theme park, and 100,000 is a water park. The number of visitors is increasing every year.

The amusement park has more than forty different attractions and entertainment venues, they are divided into seven thematic areas. Separately, it is worth a ride on almost the largest Ferris wheel in Europe, only the London attraction is larger.

Every tourist planning a holiday in Ravenna should certainly afford 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 the holidays, the schedule may change.
• Ticket price: adult - 34 euros, children - 28 euros (height below 140 cm and under 10 years old), children under three years old - free of charge. 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 been attracting divers for over 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 been beckoning outdoor enthusiasts.

As a rule, tourists go there in order to take a closer look at the rare underwater inhabitants who have found their refuge on the wreckage of the platform. Visibility under water is different: 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 walks 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: Port of Marina di Ravenna

Garden of Forgotten Plants

The Garden of the 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 betrayed by thick brick walls that protect visitors from the bustle of the city, as well as ancient castles, reminiscent of the old days, 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 inhabitants of their native city, they wanted to create a place where they could take a break from the hustle and meanwhile spend time usefully. This is how the Rasponi Garden was born.

A distinctive feature of this green corner is the abundance of various plants, from rare medicinal to familiar culinary herbs. And beautiful flower beds and a central fountain decorated with wrought iron will make the walk even more pleasant. In addition, the famous Ravenna sights 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 a very interesting place, where stone historical elements and fresh lush flora are combined. But most of all, the garden is interesting because 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 is a symbiosis of "new romanticism" and elements of Byzantine culture. The 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 swallowed up by fire. However, some elements have survived and are now of historical value.

One of the remains of an ancient culture is the Crypt of Rasponi, a mosaic preserved on the floor that dates back to the 6th century and used to be part of the Basilica of San Severo. In addition to the details of the past, in the garden, and in particular in the crypt, you can find objects of contemporary 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 at the Palazzo Guiccioli. This, small at first glance, period of time played a very important role in the life of the poet. 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 life of the poet during this period was filled with many events of various emotional coloring, perhaps because of this, the years spent in Ravenna turned out to be very fruitful in terms of Byron's creative success.

Palazzo Guiccioli was built in the 16th century by the Osio family from Milan and was originally called Palazzo Osiso, but in 1802 it was sold to the Guiccioli family and has had its current name ever since. In 1843, it was sold to the Rasponi family, and after 1921 it became state property, in 1990 the palace was taken over by 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, which houses the Museum of Art, is already an architectural treasure of the 16th century. This is the ancient monastery of Loggetta Lombardesca, belonging to the Basilica of Santa Maria in Porto. It is a large Renaissance building inside which is 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 has a permanent collection of modernist and medieval art. The museum also houses the International Mosaic Documentation Center.

• 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: 15 August, 25 December and 1 January

TAMO Museum (Tamo Museo del Mosaico)

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

The museum is located in the building of the old Basilica of San Nicolò. In 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 a visit 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 go around 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.

Perhaps Ravenna will not conquer you instantly, but after spending some time here, 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.