Photo: Commonists · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Ravenna
The world's finest early Christian mosaics.
Once capital of the Western Roman Empire, now a quiet town with the world's finest early Christian mosaics glowing inside plain brick churches. Dante is buried here, and the Adriatic beaches are close.
Places to see
- Basilica of San VitaleChurch · An eight-sided brick church whose apse glitters with gold and green mosaics, including…≈ A$23
Mausoleum of Galla PlacidiaSight · A tiny cross-shaped building whose vault is a deep blue night sky of gold stars; visits…Free
Dante's TombSight · A small domed temple where Dante lies, with a lamp kept alight by oil that Florence sends…Free
When to go
- Jan6° / -1°Some rainQuiet
- Feb9° / 0°Some rainQuiet
- Mar13° / 3°Some rainQuiet
- Apr18° / 7°Some rainBusy
- May23° / 12°Some rainBusy
- Jun27° / 16°Some rainBusy
- Jul30° / 18°Mostly dryBusy
- Aug30° / 18°Some rainBusy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
The centre. Piazza del Popolo, Dante's tomb and the churches along Via di Roma; the easy base.
San Vitale. The quarter of the great mosaics: San Vitale and Galla Placidia's tomb.
Flying in
Bologna Marconi (BLQ): Marconi Express to Bologna Centrale, then a train to Ravenna, about 1 h 40 min, ≈ A$35.
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Ravenna; check times and fares before you fly.
Getting around
You can walk everywhere. A single ticket is ≈ A$3. Flat and compact, with bikes everywhere. Sant'Apollinare in Classe is a short train or bus ride south (check).
Mosaics combined ticket (≈ A$23, 7 days): Covers San Vitale, Galla Placidia, Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, the Neonian Baptistery and the archbishop's museum: the way to see them.
Tourist tax
Ravenna's city tax: usually about €1–2 a person a night in hostels and B&Bs, more in hotels; under-14s don't pay. Paid at check-in (check).
