TOURISTIC ATTRACTIONS

« O lone Ravenna! many a tale is told/ Of thy great glories in the days of old: / Two thousand years have passed since thou didst see / Cæsar ride forth to royal victory.» Oscar Wilde

The charm of Italy’s second largest city has been building over more than a thousand years of history. Its enchanting early Christian and Byzantine masterpieces, and the mosaics nestled inside, will leave you truly speechless. Suffice it to say that these 8 monuments have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their extraordinary historical and artistic value. You will have the chance to visit the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia and Mausoleum of Theodoric, or the Baptistery of the Orthodox and the Baptistery of the Aryans, all ready to captivate you with their soaring domes and extraordinary, colorful mosaics. Not to be missed are the Basilica of Sant’apollinare Nuovo, initially built for the Aryan cult and later converted to Catholicism, the famous Basilica of San Vitale and the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe. Together with the sites mentioned above, these all feature the treasured mosaic art that has earned Ravenna its nickname of “City of mosaics“.

Other historical and artistic sites worth visiting, dating back to later periods, include the Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra, the Ancient Classe Port, the Sepulchre of Dante Alighieri, the Rocca Brancaleone, the Classense Library, the Municipal Tower (Torre Civica) and the monumental fortified doors around the city center.

Ravenna also offers a number of museums: MAR – the Art Museum of the City of Ravenna, which houses various permanent collections and international-level periodical exhibitions; the National Museum displaying archaeological finds from Roman and Byzantine times; the Archiepiscopal Museum, which houses the UNESCO World Heritage Site Chapel of St. Andrew; the Tamo Museum, dedicated to mosaics and the way they have evolved over time; the Dante Museum, Classis Ravenna – the Museum of the City and Local Area and the Museum of the Risorgimento.

Nature lovers, do not fear! Ravenna is rich in natural treasures as well. Its landscapes range from sprawling countryside to canals and centuries-old pine groves overlooking sandy beaches. 30 kilometers of coastline and 9 different bathing spots, all fully equipped and easily accessible. Hiking enthusiasts can also explore the Oasis of Punte Alberete, where you can admire wetland forests populated by rare species of birds, and the historic pine forests of San Vitale and Classe inside the Po Delta Regional Park. If you are looking for a place to have fun with the whole family, just a few steps from the city you’ll find Mirabilandia, the largest amusement park in Italy for adults and children.

Now that you have learned about everything Ravenna has to offer, all that’s left is to come visit and take in all its beautiful sights. Have a great trip!