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Culture and History

The ways of Dante Alighieri

The historical places related to the memory of the Supreme Poet

The ways of Unesco World Heritage Monuments

The supreme craftsmanship of mosaic art

The ways of Archaeology

The glorious past of Ravenna through its archaeological witnesses

The ways of the Mosaics

In museums, Unesco World Heritage monuments, along the streets and much more

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Unesco World Heritage

In Ravenna is a Unesco site with no less than eight World Heritage monuments.

Built between the 5^th and the 6^th century a.D., they testify a period of greatness, during which Ravenna — crossway between the East and the West — became three times capital.

As soon as you visit the Unesco monuments, you will see the beauty that in a remote past inspired many poets and visitors. The sparkle of the golden mosaics and the harmony of their architecture amaze still today thousands of visitors.

Neonian Baptistery

Neonian Baptistery

As the beginning of its construction dates back to the end of the 4th / early 5th century, the Neonian Baptistery is the most

Arian Baptistery

Arian Baptistery

The Arian Baptistery was built in the small square of the church of the Holy Spirit (former Arian cathedral) at the end of the

Archiepiscopal Chapel (or St. Andrew Chapel)

Archiepiscopal Chapel (or St. Andrew Chapel)

The cross-shaped Oratory of S. Andrea (or Archiepiscopal Chapel) was erected by bishop Peter II as a private oratory during the reign of Theodoric.

Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe

Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe

The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe was built in the first half of the 6th century by Giuliano Argentario, at the behest of archbishop

Mausoleum of Theodoric

Mausoleum of Theodoric

The mausoleum, located approximately one kilometre away from the centre of Ravenna, was built by Theodoric in 520 AD as his burial site in

Basilica of San Vitale

Basilica of San Vitale

Consecrated by Archbishop Maximian in 548, the Basilica of San Vitale is one of the most important monuments of paleochristian art in Italy, especially

Mausoleum of Galla Placidia

Mausoleum of Galla Placidia

Galla Placidia (386-452), sister of Honorius, the Roman Emperor who transferred the Capital of the Western Empire from Milan to Ravenna, built this little

Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo

Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo

Built by Theodoric, the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo preserves the magnificent mosaic decoration of the original church, documenting the evolution of Byzantine wall mosaics

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Museums and Libraries

Most of the Ravenna museums and libraries are inside huge and ancient monasteries.

Originally, they were part of the abbey, today they are a cultural activity heart, faithful memory custodians.

Old Franciscan Cloisters

The Planetarium of Ravenna

Contemporary History Library “Alfredo Oriani”

Classense Library

MDT – Educational Museum of the Territory

MAS – National Museum of Underwater Activities

The House of Marionettes

NatuRa Museum

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Urban Art

Contemporary creativity in Ravenna finds expression in many ways. Art is not just in its monuments, but also in the piazzas, streets, courtyards, gardens and on the house walls. Unusual tours show the beauty of Ravenna’s urban art to discover today’s inspiration and its ancient recalls.

From the headquarters of the city dock to the gate Porta Adriana, from the stadium to the Brancaleone Fortress: the city is a real open-air museum, with works by Italian and international artists.

Street Art in Ravenna

Street Art in Ravenna

In recent years, the interest of Ravenna towards Street Art has increased, so that some urban areas have been turned into open-air museums offering

Ardea Purpurea fountain

Ardea Purpurea fountain

The beautiful Ardea Purpurea fountain is a monumental mosaic fountain designed and realised by master Marco Bravura, a renowned mosaic artist from Ravenna.

Un alloro per Dante

Un alloro per Dante

Inside the corner of peace represented by the roof gardens of Palazzo della Provincia in Ravenna it is possible to admire a contemporary piece called

The Horse by Mimmo Paladino

The Horse by Mimmo Paladino

In front of the façade of the MAR – Ravenna Art Museum, near the Basilica of Santa Maria in Porto, there is a huge

Grande Ferro R

Grande Ferro R

GRANDE FERRO R is a site-specific work realised by Alberto Burri (Città di Castello 1915 – Paris 1995), in 1990 for the external square of

Mediterranean female buffalos by Davide Rivalta

Mediterranean female buffalos by Davide Rivalta

Since 2012, the front garden of the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe has been hosting some bronze sculptures realised by Davide Rivalta and representing

Mosaic benches

Mosaic benches

Five mosaic benches, realised in collaboration with the Art Institute on the occasion of Biennale del Mosaico 2015, have become permanent urban furniture along

Monument to Pier Paolo D’Attorre

Monument to Pier Paolo D’Attorre

Since 2000, the entrance to the historic centre of Ravenna, just next to Porta Adriana, has been hosting a mosaic monument dedicated to the

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Discover more...

Ravenna has a great wealth of historical monuments and buildings.

Let yourself be inspired and discover the main tourist attractions of this ancient capital, both of Europe and of the Mediterranean.

Archaeology

Religious buildings

Porta Adriana (o Cavour)

City Gates and Piazzas

Memorials

Theatres and historical buildings

#myravenna Blog

#myRavenna is the official blog of tourism in Ravenna.

Get inspired and discover – through stories and travel experiences – what the city and the territory has to offer.

18 December 2023

La collezione dei mosaici contemporanei al Mar

12 December 2023

Ravenna with children

25 March 2019

Dante Alighieri in Ravenna: the places of the poet

20 May 2018

Apollinaris – A Saint and his city

07 April 2019

Gorillas at the Courthouse! Davide Rivalta’s works in Ravenna

10 September 2021

Five images to tell the story of the Classense Library

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