Do you know that in the historical period in which Dante Alighieri stayed in Ravenna, the city had about 200 churches and 10,000 inhabitants within the walls? Many of the monuments visible to Dante are today partially or totally destroyed, but fortunately there are also numerous and significant places that survived and these allow us to follow in Dante’s footsteps.

The guides of “Il Papavero” have therefore created two half-day and one full-day tours to bring tourists, onlookers and enthusiasts to places linked to the memory of Dante Alighieri.

Half day in the footsteps of Dante – tour 1

We will visit the Basilica of S. Giovanni Evangelista (closed on Mondays) with the 13th century floor mosaics which narrate episodes of the fourth crusade and show us a rich medieval bestiary; the “Dantesque area”, one of the most suggestive part of Ravenna, which includes the Tomb of the Poet, the Franciscan cloisters and the Basilica of S. Francesco (closed on Sundays morning) with the flooded crypt; some rooms of the Classense Library (open from Tuesday to Saturday), in particular the precious Camaldolese refectory which, since 1921, the sixth centenary of the poet’s death, was called Sala Dantesca and is home to readings and conferences dedicated to him.

There are no paid entrances, you will only need 1 euro (about every 10 people) to turn on the light of the crypt of San Francesco.

Half day in the footsteps of Dante – tour 2 

Starting with the visit of the “Dantesque area”, one of the most suggestive part of Ravenna, which includes the Tomb of the Poet, the Franciscan cloisters and the Basilica of S. Francesco (closed on Sundays morning) with the flooded crypt, you will arrive through a pleasant walk to the National Museum (closed on Mondays), which, located within a harmonious Benedictine monastery, collects important archaeological finds, valuable collections of minor arts and above all the splendid cycle of fourteenth-century frescoes, a masterpiece by Pietro da Rimini, which comes from the ancient church of Santa Chiara.

The National Museum costs € 6.00 for adults, € 2.00 between 18 and 25 years of age and is free of charge under 18. You will also need 1 euro (about every 10 people) to turn on the light of the crypt of San Francesco.

Full day in the footsteps of Dante

In addition to the places already included in one of the half-day itineraries, we will visit the House called Francesca da Polenta (only external visit), sad protagonist of Canto V of Inferno and relative of the family that hosted Dante in Ravenna; the Church of S. Maria in Porto, linked to the history of Pietro Peccator and the venerated Madonna Greca, and we will walk to the Civic Tower and Casa Traversari (visits only outside), a family celebrated in the 14th canto of Purgatory.

There are no additional paid admissions compared to those already mentioned in the half-day programs.

NB: The Dante tours can also be tailored for children and schools, or you can visit our most famous monuments showing the link between the splendid mosaics of Ravenna and some parts of the Divine Comedy.

Contact us for more information!

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.