City walk through Ravenna
Round tour between mosaics and Ostrogoths
Eight Ravennese buildings were declared World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1996. The fascinating mosaics from days long gone evoke the memory of the Romans, the Ostrogoths and the Byzantines making them an essential part of every trip to the city. Several churches and other religious buildings plus impressive museum buildings can be seen all across Raevnna. ZAINOO's city tour leads to the essential cornerstones of the city and several lesser known sights without any detours.
Tour through Ravenna
- The tour starts at the Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo with its world-famous mosaics. The remnants of walls outside the church used to be mistakenly attributed to the palace of the King of the Ostrogoths. However, the floor mosaics were part of Palazzo di Teodorico.
- The former Arian church Santo Spirito is located at the end of the pedestrian area of Via Roma. Right behind it – Battistero degli Ariani, the octagonal baptistery with well-preserved mosaics.
- Via Camillo Benso Cavour leads north to the grounds of the former Benedictine monastery that now houses the grand Basilica San Vitale and the Mausoleo di Galla Placidia. Both buildings were declared World Heritage Site by the UNESCO due to their grand mosaics.
- These grounds are also home to the Museo Nazionale and remnants of the Basilica Santa Croce.
- Next stop is the recently discovered 5th / 6th century Domus dei Tappeti di Petra at Via Carlo Caetano.
- Via Guglielmo Oberdan leads to the former dome complex. Single relicts at the Duomo Sant’Orso date back to its origins in the 4th century. Museo Arcivescoville is located inside the dome and houses the Capella Sant'Andrea with more fascinating mosaics. Battistero Neoniano is known for its mosaics on cobalt blue background. They are part of the UNESCO's World Heritage Site.
- Crossing Piazza Caduti per la Libertà, the inconspicuous brick building rising near the city square is the San Francesco Crypt, where the funeral service of the famous poet Dante Alighieri took place. His tomb, Tomba di Dante, is located right next to it.
- The tour ends on the city square Piazza del Popolo with its three small palaces: Palazzo Veneziano, Palazzo Comunale and Palazzo dei Rasponi del Sale.
If there is more time at hand, the city tour through Ravenna can be extended towards several directions. Walking in the opposite direction at the starting point, Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, the site of the church Santa Maria in Porto and the city’s art museum Museo d'Arte della Città can be reached within minutes.
Mausoleo di Teodorico, a fascinating lime stone building with heavy cupola, can be found at the city's periphery. Driving a few kilometres outside of Ravenna, the equally impressive Basilica Sant'Apollinare in Classe and the old library can be found.
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