Even by the standards of Emilia-Romagna, which is full of art cities, Ravenna is a treasure trove of history, art, and culture. This city, once a Byzantine capital, has a wealth of attractions for travellers of all kinds. Join me as we explore Ravenna and find out why it should be on every traveller’s list.
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Why Visit Ravenna?
Much of Ravenna’s charm lies in its rich history and stunning Byzantine mosaics. From 402 to 751 CE it was first the capital of the Western Roman Empire, and subsequently the centre of Byzantine rule. One consequence of the city’s importance at that time is that its religious buildings boast some sumptuous artworks.
But there is much more to Ravenna than this. Important literary figures such as Dante and Byron made their home here, and today the city is known for its annual arts festival featuring a variety of performances. You can take day trips to other cities in the Emilia-Romagna region and – of course – you can eat and drink very well in Ravenna.
A City Of Mosaics
The Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site covers eight buildings full of breathtaking mosaics, including the Basilica of San Vitale and the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo. (Read more about the Byzantine Mosaics of Ravenna.)
The tradition of mosaic art in Ravenna continues today. You will spot mosaics beside all the street names, and many contemporary mosaic artists work in the city. You can even have a go yourself – I had fun creating my own design at Koko Mosaico, a studio and workshop that offers a variety of short classes and longer courses.
Literary Ravenna
Ravenna has inspired many literary giants, most famously Dante Alighieri and Lord Byron. Dante spent his last years here, and you can visit his tomb and other places connected with him. Byron also lived here in later life, and he is now celebrated in a new museum. Other writers who visited or lived in Ravenna include Dario Fo, Oscar Wilde and TS Eliot.
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Ravenna Festival
Established in 1990, the Ravenna Festival is a cultural highlight of the city. It is usually held in June and July, and features a diverse array of performances, including opera, ballet, drama, and contemporary music. The festival takes place across multiple stages, including the Teatro Alighieri, city churches, and outdoor venues in the surrounding area.
What Else To Do In Ravenna
Make sure you spend some time just wandering the city. You’ll find remnants of the old town walls, medieval streets, and historic buildings. Just behind the train station is the start of the Candiano Canal which connects Ravenna to the Adriatic Sea.
National Museum Of Ravenna
The National Museum of Ravenna boasts an extensive collection of archaeological artefacts, paintings and other artworks. It is also worth visiting for the building in which it is housed, a former monastery with cloisters and 14th century frescoes. You can also see the remains of the Roman Porta Aurea, once the southern gate into the city.
Ravenna Covered Market
The Covered Market (or Mercato Coperto) is just a short distance from the central Piazza del Popolo. It was once a traditional market where the locals would shop for food but today it is more of a deli and popular eating place. You can stop to buy a dazzling range of cheeses, watch pasta being made, or sit and enjoy a traditional local lunch.
The Ancient Port Of Classe
Around 6 km to the south of Ravenna is Classe, once a Roman sea port. If you hire a car (or a bicycle) you could make a full day of Classe and the surrounding area. Don’t miss the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe (part of the Early Christian Monuments World Heritage Site), and the Classis Museum, an excellent museum that tells the story of Ravenna and the surrounding area since the earliest times.
You can also visit the Ancient Port of Classe, an open air archaeological site. And a little further away is the Parco 1º Maggio, part of the Pine Forest of Classe. Here you will find walking trails through the woods that were once a favoured haunt of both Dante and Byron.
Day Trips From Ravenna
If you are staying in Ravenna for more than a few days you might want to consider a day trip by train to Bologna or Rimini. Other possibilities include Ferrara, Modena or the small seaside town of Cesenatico.
Eating And Drinking In Ravenna
Food in Emilia-Romagna is always a treat, and there are lots of opportunities for long, slow lunches or dinners. Look out for local specialities, like the piadina bread and pinzimonio, raw vegetables dipped into salt and olive oil (the latter is delicious because the olive oil is of a very high quality).
Ravenna is full of good restaurants but I particularly enjoyed the Osteria Passatelli, located in an old cinema, and the Ca’ de Vèn, in a former wine cellar.
Where To Stay In Ravenna
I stayed in the Hotel Centrale Byron, which has the great advantage of being very central (a few steps away from the main square). If you are looking for something more luxurious, the Palazzo Betti is a little further out (10 minutes from the railway station, 1 km from the Basilica of San Vitale). Other recommended locations include La Reunion and Albergo Cappello, and there are further options on booking.com.
Travelling To Ravenna
- The nearest airports are at Bologna or Rimini.
- Ravenna is well-connected by train. There are regular trains to Bologna and Rimini, as well as to other towns and cities in the region.
Thanks to Emilia Romagna Tourism for arranging my trip to Ravenna, and to Rita Biserni, our excellent local tour guide.
This article is now featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Ravenna.
