Booking for : Ravenna-Historical Center and Diocese’s Monuments – Half Day Tour
Ravenna-Historical Center and Diocese’s Monuments – Half Day Tour
Tour Details
Discover Ravenna, known all over the world as the capital of mosaic!
This charming town on the Adriatic coast preserves an exceptional artistic heritage, thanks to its past that has seen it as the protagonist of crucial and important historical events. Between the V and the VIII century, Ravenna was the capital of the Western Roman Empire, of the Ostrogoth’s Kingdom and of the Byzantine Empire: the traces of this past are in the wonderful ancient buildings and in its eight UNESCO Monuments.
Ravenna is also the city of Dante Alighieri, the major Italian poet and the father of the Italian language: he chose this place as his “last refuge” and the city still guard his immortal remains.
Our journey into history starts from the Roman Age (V century), with the wonderful Mausoleum of Galla Placidia. The Roman empress, a very religious woman, built this place to contain the remains of her and her family, and the beautiful mosaic in here represent stories of the Bible and Saints, but also fine decorations that remind the eastern art and the nature; on top the famous starry sky enchant for its light and its golden shines.
We explore the period of Theodoric, the Ostrogoth’s King (V-VI centuries), with the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, a Palatine church decorated with mosaics that show stories of Jesus and the important places of ancient Ravenna as the port of Classis and the Palace of Theodoric. Together with the mosaic of Theodoric’s time, we have here also the bright procession of martyrs and virgins, a Byzantine addition that proves the troubled past of this church.
We admire the magnificence of the Byzantine time (VI century), with the grandiose Basilica of San Vitale, with its particular octagonal shape and famous for the variety of its marble and the fine mosaics representing the emperor Justinian and his wife Theodora.
We pay homage to the major Italian poet visiting Dante’s area, with the evocative flooded crypt of the Basilica of Saint Francis and the neoclassical Tomb of Dante Alighieri: we discover the adventurous story of its remains, stolen from the Franciscan Friars to keep them in Ravenna, and the love of Ravenna people for the poet throughout the centuries.
We enjoy a cup of coffee or an ice cream in Piazza del Popolo, the beautiful Town Hall square with its elegant Venetian characteristics, and we pass by one of the many mosaic workshops.
The visiting order of the monuments is not the one listed above and is adjusted according to the needs of visitors. We do not assume responsibility for ticket increases or changes of monuments opening hours that may occur during the year.
For some questions you find a faster answer here than writing us:
Where can I park?
If you are by car you can park in Largo Giustiniano (3.00 euros all day, near the Basilica of San Vitale), or in Piazzale Aldo Moro (free, behind the train station). In the city center there are also several parking lots with parking meters, but usually in here the parking is limited to a maximum of 3 hours. Depending on your needs it may be better to choose one of the two parking areas: we will tell you which one is the most convenient when you book.
If you are by bus the 2 drop off/ drop on points are Piazzale Aldo Moro, behind the train station, and Piazza Resistenza, a 10/15 minute walk from the Basilica of San Vitale. Also in this case we will tell you which one to choose according to your needs.
If in the group there are people with real physical and mobility impairments please let us know.
Where do I meet the guide?
If you are already in the city center, the guide can meet you in your hotel, in the ticket offices of the monuments or in Piazza del Popolo. If you arrive directly for the guided tour then the guide can pick you up in the car parks or at the drop off/ drop on points.
Can mobility impaired people enter everywhere?
Yes, the monuments of this itinerary are also accessible for mobility impaired people.
There will be entry fees for the monuments or other extra fees?
Yes, the costs are as follows:
€10.50 for a combined ticket that includes the Basilica of San Vitale and the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo (reduced rate €9.50 per person). Free ticket for children under 10. For the visit to the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia (and the Neonian Baptistery, which cannot be visited in 2.5 hours) there is a €2.00 supplement for everyone (over 6 years old).
Are headsets required?
For groups of over 15 people only, headsets are mandatory inside the monuments included in the combined ticket (and in any case useful for the entire duration of the visit). We do not provide this service directly, but we collaborate with trusted partners. We will be happy to provide you with the necessary contacts to organize the rental.
Is it necessary to book the entrance at the monuments?
It is not mandatory, but we strongly suggest booking the combined ticket in advance, even for a few people. If you are a group, you can write to info@ravennamosaici.it to book. For a few people, you can book here: https://www.ravennamosaici.it/biglietteria-online/.
We cannot make the reservations ourselves as pre-payment for the ticket is required; however, we can suggest the best booking times based on your needs.
Where are the tourist information offices?
There is one in Piazza San Francesco.
Are there public toilets?
Yes, in Piazzale Aldo Moro and in Piazza Resistenza there are pay toilets (0.50 euros).
Recommend Tour Packages
IL PAPAVERO Soc. Coop. - Guide Turistiche
Via Cavour 114 - 48121 Ravenna
Sede Legale : Via Faentina 106 - 48123 Ravenna
C.F. / P. I.V.A. 00871530390
