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For other places with the same name, see Ravenna (disambiguation).

Ravenna is a city in the Romagna zone of Emilia-Romagna.

Understand

The entrance to the San Vitale basilica

Ravenna is the home of the Mosaic Basilica, with a delightful small town atmosphere plus other UNESCO World Heritage listed early Christian monuments.

Get in

By car

Ravenna is easy to get to from the A14. Follow the signs for A14D from the A14 East. The A14D ends some kilometres before Ravenna, but the roads to the town are clearly signposted. Once in the town, head for the centre (Centro). The town streets vary (as in all Italian towns and cities) with the main routes being large and navigable, the back streets being small and unsuited to large vehicles. As there are a number of ways in, make sure you have a town map before getting to the town, although this is good advice for any Italian town. Parking is easily attained, some free away from the old town centre, and typically 3 euro for 2.5 hours on the main street near the entry to the old town within 200 metres of the Basilica.

By train

There is a train station in Ravenna; there are main lines to Bologna and Rimini.

By bus

You can take a bus from any nearby town, it costs only a couple of euros.

By plane

There is an airport in the town of Forli' about 20 km from Ravenna. It serves Ryanair. The more expensive airlines fly to Bologna, about 80 km from Ravenna.

Get around

  • Walking. Ravenna is a walker's paradise, to say nothing of a shopping heaven for some. The old town is a mainly pedestrian area with cafes and bars on every corner and some hidden away through small access alleys. Note that everything is a little more expensive near the Basilica.

If you want to do any shopping, be aware that the shops in Ravenna observe a siesta from about 12:30 to around 4pm when the only things open are small bookshops and cafes.

See

Arian Baptistry ceiling mosaic
  • Basilica of Sant' Apollinare Nuovo. Costs about €7 to enter this 6th-century basilica and see the entire building and the amazing mosaics. If you like old churches and interesting architecture, this is a must see.
  • Dante's Tomb. For those interested in historical figures, the town also contains the tomb of the author of the Divine Comedy. It is less than a 1 km walk from Sant' Apollinare Nuovo.
  • Sant' Apollinare in Classe, Via Romea Sud, +39 0544 473569. open Mon-Sat, 08:30-19:30, Sun, 13:00-19:30. Like many Ravenna churches, it is known for its exceptional mosaics. Lies approx. 5 km south of the city center.
  • Basilica of San Vitale, Via San Vitale, +39 0544 219518. open daily 09:00-19:00. The huge church of San Vitale has mosaics everywhere. It was built in 547, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it is considered a major monument in Western art history.
  • Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Via San Vitale. open daily 09:00-19:00. Cross-shaped structure housing the tomb of Galla Placidia, sister of Honorius and Empress of Rome. Galla, who died in 450 AD, is one of history's most powerful women.
  • 1 Mausoleum of Theoderic the Great (approx. 1 km north east from the city center, on the other side of the railway). Built in the 6th century for the powerful king of Ostrogoths.

There is a ticket office close to Basilica of San Vitale where you can buy tickets for the main sights of Ravenna.

Do

Apse mosaic - Basilica of San Vitale

Take the time to walk around. The town is full of the most charming surprises, be it a cafe or the outstanding fashion shops.

Buy

As a city of mosaics in Ravenna you can buy ceramic souvenirs in mosaic style, stylish fashions from all over Italy are available in the small boutique style shops. You won't find big stores here as you would in Milan or Rome, but there is a small town charm to them.

Eat

You are in Italy; eat Italian food. There are many small pizzerias and trattorias in the town that serve excellent and inexpensive fare. A typical meal of pizza and a beer will cost around 10 to 15 euro. In the main square, the cafe serves excellent Cappuccino for about 2 euro. The self-service cafe in the central market (just north of the main square and the Hotel Byron) is excellent for lunches (7,50 to 10 euros).

  • Ristorante Al Passatore, via di Roma (opposite the Palazzo di Teodorico). An excellent example of a typical Romagnolo menu at local prices.
  • Osteria Del Tempo Perso, Via Gamba 12 (just around the corner from Hotel Bisanzio.).

Drink

"The Good Shepherd" mosaic, Mausoleum of Galla Placidia

Sleep

  • Hotel Diana Ravenna, Via Girolamo Rossi, 47, +39 05 4439164, fax: +39 05 4430001. Three star hotel set in a 18th century building of the city centre of Ravenna, with 48 rooms and suites, and affordable rates to visit the Byzantine mosaic of the former capital of the roman empire. All the bedrooms of the Diana Hotel Ravenna come with private bath, satellite TV and breakfast included.

48100 Marina Romea (RA) mail: info@residencepoggiodeipini.it tel.0544 44 85 83 fax 0544 441014

  • Casa Masoli, Via Rossi 22, +39 335 6099471, . Check-in: 12am, check-out: 10am. Casa Masoli is a wonderful Bed and Breakfast located in the center of Ravenna. Rooms are large and ceilings are decorated. It is an old house with history. The owner is a gentle and friendly lady that speaks fluent English. Reservations can be made via email but you have to send a deposit or give your credit card number. All major cards accepted. Breakfast is huge and served until 10 am. There is courtyard to sit outside and relax. Smoking is allowed in the courtyard. Dogs may be or may not be allowed as the landlady has a dog herself. Just ask in advance. 70 € for a double Room.

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This city travel guide to Ravenna is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.