Ravenna (Italy) – the most detailed information about the city with photos. The main attractions of Ravenna with a description, guides and cards.
Contents
Ravenna City
Ravenna – a city in the north-east. Italy in the region. Emilia-Romagna. Located on a lowland plain near the confluence Ronco and Monte are ten kilometers from the Adriatic Sea, with which is connected by a channel. Ravenna – a city with an interesting and rich history, a real treasure trove of art, history and culture. Eight late antiquity sights included in the list UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Ravenna is one of the largest cities in the region. Emilia-Romagna. It is conveniently located between Bologna and San Marino, as well as near Florence and the Adriatic resorts that makes it a very popular tourist destination. But unique Ravenna make the sights of the period ancient Byzantium, which are among the best preserved in Italy. In addition, the city is known as the place of death of the legendary Dante Alighieri is one of the most mysterious poets of the Middle Ages, founder of the modern Italian language.
- Geography and climate
- Practical information
- Story
- How to get there
- sights
- Video
- Maps and guides
- Comments and reviews
Geography and climate
The province of Ravenna is located in the east of the Emilia-Romagna region 10 km from the coast of the Adriatic Sea. The city connects with the sea cananyano channel. The province is located on the Padansky plain in its lowland part.
The climate of Ravenna is typical of the southeastern valley of the Po with the marine influence. Summer is quite hot with an average temperature of 23-25 degrees Winter is mild with an average temperature of 3-5 degrees. Although cold east winds can bring frosts and snowfalls.
Streets of Ravenna
Practical information
- The population is 171 thousand people.
- The area is 653.82 square kilometers.
- The language is Italian.
- Currency – Euro.
- Time – Central European UTC +1, in summer +2.
- Visa – Schengen.
- In the historic center there are many small stylish shops. Although here you will not find large stores and shopping centers like in Milan or Rome.
- Ravenna is a friendly city for budget travelers. Here you can many small pizzerias and trattories that offer tasty and inexpensive Italian cuisine.
Story
Ravenna is an ancient city with a rich and complex history. After the collapse of the Roman Empire from the beginning of the 5th century the city was the capital Western Roman Empire, later the state of the Ostrogoths and the kingdom Lombards.
Initially, the tribes of the Etruscans and umber Part of the Roman Empire Ravenna became in the 2nd century BC. Under Octavian Augusta, a port was built here, which later grew in town. In 402, after the siege by the Visigoths Mediolan (Milan), Ravenna became the capital of the Western Roman Empire. In 476, the empire ceased to exist. Also, this date is considered the end of the period. Antiquity.
Streets of Ravenna
At the end of the 5th century, Ravenna was conquered by the Ostrogoth King Theodoric, who made the city the capital of his state. But the state Ostrogoths did not last long. Already in 540, Ravenna became province of Byzantium. In the middle of the 8th century the city was conquered Lombards. Although this kingdom also existed for long. AT mid-9th century Ravenna came under the control of the Pope.
From the 9th to the 13th century, the city was ruled by archbishops. In the 13th century Ravenna became the estate of the Traversari, and later yes Polenta. In the 15th century Ravenna became part of the Venetian Republic. At the beginning of the 16th century the city again fell under the authority of the pope, and also looted and burned by french troops. The next three centuries Ravenna was part of the Papal States, until in the 19th century it became part of the united Italy.
How to get there
There is a small airport in the town of Forli, 20 km from Ravenna, which serves several local destinations. Large The airports are located in Bologna, Venice and Florence. Easy Get to the city and by car on the A14 motorway. Also there is a railway station, the main directions of which Bologna and Rimini.
sights
Ravenna is a magnificent late sight Antiquities, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites, ancient churches and basilicas, old streets and wide squares. But not only historical and cultural monuments are famous for this city. Beside Adriatic resorts are located that can offer great stay.
Neon baptistery
Neon Baptistery (it is also often called Orthodox) – the most ancient building, standing in Ravenna, and extremely important religious object. The baptistery was built in the 5th century on the territory complex of roman terms. The structure has an octagonal design and pretty simple look.
Mosaics baptistery
But the main treasure is hidden inside, where is an amazing a series of ancient Byzantine colored mosaics depicting religious scenes such as the baptism of Christ and the procession of the twelve apostles
Basilica San Vitale
The Basilica of San Vitale is another ancient structure located near the baptistery of Neon. The construction of the church dates back to first half of the 6th century. The basilica has a similar external and architecture in which a large octagonal stands out central dome The interior of San Vitale has some amazing mosaics and decorations that are considered one of the best examples Byzantine art in Italy.
Galla Mausoleum Placidia
Galla Placidia’s Mausoleum is another World Heritage Site. UNESCO in Ravenna, built in the 40s of the 5th century. This is a structure simple on the outside, offering great interior pieces, which are considered one of the best preserved and artistically perfect examples of mosaics in Italy. The mausoleum was created for sisters of the emperor of the Western Roman Empire, Honorius, but in the end her buried in Rome.
Sant Apollinare Nuovo
The Basilica of Sant’Apollinare-Nuovo was built by the king of the Ostrogoths Theodoric. The church is located in the eastern part of the old town, easily reached by foot. To the right of the building is a large the bell tower and the front entrance are decorated with stone arches. Inside The basilica boasts magnificent mosaic decoration documenting stylistic, iconographic and ideological the evolution of Byzantine wall mosaics from the age of Theodoric to Justiniana. The mosaics depict scenes from the New Testament.
Basilica di San francesco
Basilica di San Francesco is located between Neon the Baptistery and the Basilica of San Apollinare. The church was built at 9 century, and the bell tower in the 10th century. Although the basilica interior quite simple, it attracts visitors to a mysterious crypt and tomb of the bishop.
Mausoleum Theodoric
The Mausoleum of Theodoric – the burial place of the king of the Ostrogoths, who chose Ravenna stronghold of his kingdom. This building with 1500 years of history located in the eponymous park. The roof of this structures made of Istrian stone. Tomb interior pretty simple.
Tomb Dante
Dante’s Tomb is a simple marble structure in which kept the remains of one of the most legendary poets of Italy. The mausoleum was built much later than the death of Alighieri.
Arian baptistery
The Arian baptistery was built at the turn of the 5-6 centuries. Theodoric. This inconspicuous exterior building is located in close to Piazza del Popolo, next to Chiesa Dullo-Duto-Santo Church. Inside the baptistery is beautifully decorated mosaic. Particularly impressive is the very detailed ceiling mosaic, depicting the baptism of Jesus Christ.
Archbishop’s cappella
The Archbishop’s Chapel – the chapel of the Equal Bishops, built at the beginning of the 6th century under Theodoric. The interior is beautifully decorated mosaic.
Sant Apollinare in Classe
Sant’Apollinare in Classe – 6th century basilica, located behind outside the old city. Was built over the grave of the first Equal Bishop of St. Apollinaris. Is a masterpiece Byzantine art. The interior of the church is decorated with mosaics of the period. Justiniana.
What else can be found in Ravenna:
- National Museum in the building of the old Benedictine monastery. It exhibits a beautiful collection of works of art, artifacts and relics from different periods of the history of the region.
- Marina di Ravenna is a marina for the northeast of the city. On the northern edge is a harbor with many fishing and sailing boats, and on the southern edge – a long stretch of beach with a beautiful golden sand.
- Cesenatico is a charming seaside resort town to southeast of Ravenna in half an hour.
- Piazza del Popolo – one of the busiest and most significant urban areas. Located in the center of the historic Old Town, within walking distance of the Basilica San Francesco and the Basilica of San Apollinare. Area stands out beautiful architecture and many restaurants.
- Mirabilandia – a theme park with a variety of attractions. One of the most visited in Italy.
- Municipal tower height of 39 meters, built in the 12th century. Located at Via Ponte Marino, 2.
Video
Maps and guides
City Map with Landmarks