What to do and see in Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna: The Best Things to do

November 19, 2021 Jasper Kershner

Ravenna once was the capital of the Byzantine Empire in Italy, and it still has amazing mosaics recalling that heritage. Also make sure you visit Dante's tomb, as well as the little pile of rubble where local residents hid his urn during WWII to prevent it from being damaged.
Restaurants in Ravenna

1. Basilica San Vitale

Via San Vitale, 48121, Ravenna Italy +39 0544 541688 [email protected] http://www.ravennamosaici.it/
Excellent
90%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4,556 reviews

Basilica San Vitale

History As a symbol of the Archiepiscopal Chancellery of Ravenna, San Vitale is one of the greatest works of late Roman art. Famous for its mosaics commissioned by Archbishop Maximian (546/556 AD), the basilica is a place of contemplation. While the body descends its steps the spirit rises to the Truth. A masterpiece to be admired for its evident beauty and its hidden, precise, evocative theological argument.

Reviewed By DRJAMESV - Makawao, United States

This basilica is named for the saint martyred in 303 AD. However, its gold gilded mosaics are a testament to Emperor Justinian and his wife Queen Theodora. I am likely a descendent of this saint, since my surname is Vitale also. The walking distance Ai Giardini di Vitale hotel is also stellar.

2. Mausoleo di Galla Placidia

Via San Vitale, 48121, Ravenna Italy +39 0544 541688 [email protected] http://www.ravennamosaici.it/
Excellent
87%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
1%
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5.0 based on 3,416 reviews

Mausoleo di Galla Placidia

Reviewed By GaramMassala - Tarneit, Australia

This mausoleum is absolutely stunning inside, with beautiful mosaics on its walls and ceilings. There was a long queue (about 45 minutes) and the time inside was limited (5 minutes maximum), but it was worth it as one of the highlights of Ravenna.

3. Archiepiscopal Museum

Piazza Arcivescovado, 48121, Ravenna Italy +39 0544 541688 [email protected] http://www.ravennamosaici.it/?page_id=27&lang=en
Excellent
46%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 801 reviews

Archiepiscopal Museum

Archiepiscopal Museum and the Chapel of St. Andrew The Archbishop's Chapel of St. Andrew is guarded as a gemstone inside the Bishop's Palace. It was the private chapel of the bishops of Ravenna and it was built and decorated with mosaics from 494 till 519. Set up inside the rooms of the Bishop's Palace, the collection of the Archiepiscopal Museum contains epigraphs, the Cathedral treasure, remains of mosaics from the ancient Basilica of Ursus and above all the ivory throne of the bishop Maximian (6th century).

Reviewed By asiyahnoemik - Pula, Croatia

The significant and rich Archiepiscopal Museum here in Ravenna shows us the historical sequence of events and life in the city itself. It is located immediately next to the Baptistry of Neon and behind the Duomo of Ravenna, on the first and second floor of the Archiepiscopal Palace. The museum is very interesting with its artifacts and we are especially impressed with the chapel of Sant'Andrea, an early Christian oratory with Greek cross plan built between 494 and 519 AD in the time of Theodoric and decorated with wonderful mosaics. Archiepiscopal Chapel is the only existing archiepiscopal chapel of the early Christian era that has been preserved intact to the present day. It was erected by Bishop Peter II as a private oratory for Catholic bishops when Arianism was the main religion of the court. Originally dedicated to Christ, the chapel was then renamed and dedicated to Saint Andrew, whose relics were transported from Constantinople to Ravenna around the mid-6th century AD. Beautifully decorated chapel with extremely beautiful mosaics. Also of interest to us was the ivory throne of Maximian, one of the most famous carved ivory works of all times executed in the 6th century by Byzantine artists. Very interesting museum with valuable details.

4. Battistero Neoniano (Battistero degli Ortodossi)

Via Gioacchino Rasponi, 48121, Ravenna Italy +39 0544 541688 [email protected] http://www.ravennamosaici.it
Excellent
67%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,418 reviews

Battistero Neoniano (Battistero degli Ortodossi)

The most ancient of Ravenna monuments, at least with regard to when building began, it dates to the end of the 4th or the beginning of the 5th century.

Reviewed By asiyahnoemik - Pula, Croatia

Among the great beauties of Ravenna is certainly Battistero Neoniano (Battistero degli Ortodossi). Wonderful place with significant value both historical and artistic. Battistero Neoniano is one of the oldest monuments in Ravenna. It was built in the early 5th century by the will of Bishop Urso. In the following period, significant restoration works were carried out by Bishop Neone (450 - 475), the complete renovation of the dome and the realization of the interior decoration that today embellished the interior of the Baptistery. It was built in the octagonal shape and made of brick. The interior of the Baptistery is breathtaking with its beauty it is divided into two orders of superimposed arches, offering a very rich decoration divided into three parts: marble in the lower part, stuccos in the intermediate area and mosaics in the upper one with a clear Hellenistic-Roman imprint. At the center of the dome, a large medallion contains the scene of the baptism of Christ, immersed in the waters of the Jordan River which is the oldest testimony of a scene of the baptism of Christ made in mosaic in a monumental building. At the center of the Baptistery, we find the octagonal tub of Greek marble and porphyry. The decorations are fantastic and leave no one indifferent.

5. Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo

Via di Roma 52, 48121, Ravenna Italy +39 0544 541688 [email protected] http://www.ravennamosaici.it/
Excellent
70%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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4.5 based on 1,993 reviews

Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo

Reviewed By asiyahnoemik - Pula, Croatia

Ravenna shows us all the beauty of early Christian mosaics in beautiful basilicas, churches, chapels and museums. Sightseeing and enjoying these beauties is a privilege. So with Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, we enjoyed every look. Her history is extremely interesting. The basilica is a historically important early Christian monument. At the beginning of the 6th century, it was built by the Ostrogothic King Theodoric I, as a chapel within his royal palace (cited by Liber Pontificalis). As Theodoric was of Aryan faith, in 504 the church was consecrated as Aryan. After the Ravenna was occupied by the Byzantines, it was converted into an orthodox (Catholic / Orthodox) church, and Emperor Justinian I. The Great renamed it 561 to Sanctus Martinus in Coelo Aureo ("St. Martin in the Golden Sky"). It was renamed in 856 when the remains of the Sant'Apollinare ( Holy Apolinaria ) by which it was named were transferred. Among the many beautiful mosaics we can see, the mosaic of Christ on the throne surrounded by angels, mosaic display Theodoric's palace, Mosaic Adoration of the Magi ...... A magnificent Basilica with great artistic and religious value.

6. Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra

Via Barbiani Ingresso Chiesa di Sant’Eufemia, 48121, Ravenna Italy +39 0544 32512 http://www.domusdeitappetidipietra.it/
Excellent
52%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
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4.5 based on 688 reviews

Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra

Reviewed By donnads2016

One of the most impressive in situ displays of 5th-6th century floor mosaics. Just amazing to see up close. Recently discovered and meticulously excavated and maintained, well worth the visit! One of my top three favorite places in Ravenna.

7. Battistero degli Ariani

Vicolo Degli Ariani 1, 48121, Ravenna Italy +39 0544 543724 http://www.turismo.ra.it/ita/Scopri-il-territorio/Arte-e-cultura/Patrimonio-Unesco/Battistero-degli-Ariani
Excellent
61%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
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4.5 based on 871 reviews

Battistero degli Ariani

Reviewed By 29gw

Another of Ravenna's magnificent monuments, beautiful mosaics. take your time, look at it from different angles!

8. Basilica di San Francesco

Ravenna Piazza San Francesco 1, 48121, Ravenna Italy +39 0544 33256 http://www.turismo.ra.it/eng/Discover-the-area/Art-and-culture/Churches_-baptisteries/Basilica-of-San-Francesco
Excellent
43%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 837 reviews

Basilica di San Francesco

Reviewed By Bigo1955 - Ravenna, Italy

The Basilica of San Francesco is interesting to visit although it has undergone significant renovations over the centuries. In this church the funeral of the "Supreme Poet Dante" was celebrated in 1321. The remains of the "great poet" rest in the adjacent "Dante's tomb". Under the high altar, consisting of a sarcophagus of the fifth century, through a window you can see a crypt supported by pillars, intended to house the remains of Bishop Neone, founder of the church. The floor is submerged by the water whose level varies according to the tides. For better viewing, the light can be switched on in the crypt via a token switch (1 euro). For entries to the various monuments I recommend going to one of the "Information Offices" in the city.

9. Mirabilandia

SS 16 Adriatica Km 162, 48125, Ravenna Italy +39 0544 561156 [email protected] http://www.mirabilandia.it
Excellent
37%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
8%
Terrible
8%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 9,794 reviews

Mirabilandia

With 850,000 square metres, Mirabilandia holds the record for the largest amusement Park in Italy. Thanks to a continually updated offer and exclusive attractions aimed at families with children, but also to young people and adults looking for thrills, Mirabilandia keeps renewing its offer year after year.

Reviewed By zktravels - Poland, null

My favourite park in Europe! I went there in May with a group of friends and we had so much fun, especially on Katoon and the water rides! The staff was helpful and talkative. Would love to visit it again!

10. Safari Ravenna

Via Dei Tre Lati 2x Localita' Mirabilandia, 48125, Ravenna Italy +39 0544 690020 [email protected] http://www.safariravenna.it/
Excellent
42%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
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Poor
3%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 1,386 reviews

Safari Ravenna

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