Day 01
UNESCO Monuments of Ravenna and the Zona Dantesca
- The tour starts at the Basilica of Saint Apollinare Nuovo, where you will witness the traces of barbarian domination dating back to the late 5th century.
- Walk through the town centre to Piazza del Popolo, Ravenna's main square, and discover the traces of the Venetian period.
- Continue on foot to the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, built to house the Roman empress' remains. This small building will impress you with the beauty of its mosaics, representing the classical Roman style.
- Next, visit the Basilica of San Vitale, probably the most important Byzantine church in the West and the most famous UNESCO monument in Ravenna. Here, discover the main characteristics of Byzantine mosaics.
- Visit the Neonian Baptistery, said to be the most ancient monument in town, dating back to the early 5th century.
- Marvel at the Chapel of Saint Andrew, beautifully decorated with mosaics. It was the private chapel of the Christian bishops, where they went to pray, and it is the only Christian building constructed during the Arian period.
- See the Arian Baptistery, built in the late 5th century by the Goths who dominated the town.
- See the Mausoleum of Theodoric, an impressive tomb built in memory of the Gothic sovereign and particularly studied for its architecture.
- See the Basilica of Saint Apollinare in Classe, decorated with unique Byzantine mosaics and located close to the ancient port.
- Visit Dante Alighieri's tomb and the Basilica of Saint Francis, located in the so-called zona Dantesca, an area dedicated to the Great Poet where the citizens of Ravenna keep silent to respect his memory.
