The complete and close tour of Ravenna’s historic centre would take a couple of days. The itinerary, which we propose, sums up the essential stages, which characterize this magnificent city. Ravenna’s origins are very ancient, but it was Giulio Cesare to manage to get it into the Roman history, of which it had been the protagonist for 5 centuries.
Ravenna will be chosen as capital of the West Empire by Onorio (402) and so it began the period of maximum splendour, during which thanks to Galla Placidia, Ododacre and Teodorico, was enriched of splendid buildings: such as the Galla Placidia’s Mausoleum, the San Vitale’s Basilica, the Baptistery, Sant’Apollinare in Classe and the Teodorico’s Mausoleum. These monuments had been untouched in the course of the centuries, which marked an epoch.
After the Longobards’ inavasion began the Venetian Age, which ended in 1509, surrendering Ravenna to the Pope Giulio II. The Holy See reigned supreme Ravenna till 1850. |
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To arrive at Ravenna take the SS9 Romea Road (approx 25km).
Following direction towards the centre you will admire, a few hundred metres on your left, the Mausoleum of Teodorico built by the Goth king in 520. In the car park in front of the information office it is possible to ask for maps and brochures on Ravenna.
We suggest you park in the Piazza Baracca or in the large car park “ Largo Giustiniano” near to the church of Saint Vitale ( open from 8.30am-7.30pm) from which you can begin your sightseeing trip on foot.
The church of Saint Vitale was built after 525. Its octagonal shape and the rich decoration mark the passage from the Classical Roman period to the Byzantine period. The amazing mosaics (535-545) that cover the walls of the presbetery are a precious historical artefact.
Next to it we find the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, built in the first half of the V Century. It is characterised by its unique latin cross shape and the splendid mosaics that date to 450.
Continuing along Via Cavour you come to the lively centre of modern Ravenna, ideal for shopping, that conyinues to the Piazza del Popolo.
Reaching Piazza Garibaldi on the left there is the Alighieri theatre where the Ravenna festival is held. Left along via Mariani and right along via di Roma you come to Saint. Appolinare Nuovo, built by Teodorico at the beginning of the VI Century.
Return towards the centre along via Guaccimanni until piazza Caduti per la libertà.
On the right there is the paizza saint Francesco with iits church dating to the V Century and rebuilt in the X Century.next to the church there is the tomb of Dante Alighieri, who died in Ravenna in 1321.
Continuing from Piazza Caduti to Piazza Kennedy on the left there is the Cathedral on the left of which is the baptistery that dates to the V Century, built in an octagonal shape. Return to the car along via Oberdan and by returning to via Cavour.
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