Ravenna, the Byzantine

n the fifth century. Ravenna was the capital of the Western Roman Empire, subsequently of the kingdoms of Italy Odoacer and Theodoric.
Conquered by the Greeks in 540 became the center of the Eastern Empire of Byzantium of Justinian and Theodora.

To visit

• Basilica of St. Vitale, built after 525 and consecrated in 547 and one of the most important examples of early Christian art Italian. The interior is rich with precious mosaics (VI cent.).
• Mausoleum of Galla Placidia (V sec.) Near the Basilica of St. Vitale rich in ancient mosaics of Ravenna.
• The National Museum near St. Vitale rich finds of the Roman and early Christian.
• The Duomo, with an octagonal bell tower of the tenth century. and beside the Neoniano (V sec.) contains beautiful mosaics.
• Archdiocesan Museum, with the famous Chair of Maximin, one of the greatest examples of sculpture in ivory of all time (VI cent.).
• S. By Theodoric contruita Apollinaris Nuovo in the sixth century. full of beautiful mosaics (VI cent.).
• Palace of Theodoric (VII-VIII sec.).
• Arian Baptistery (VI cent.) Mosaic.
• Church of the Holy Spirit, was the ancient Cathedral of the time of Theodoric.
• To the left of the church of S. Francis (V sec.) There is the tomb of Dante, who arrived in Ravenna in 1317 and died September 14, 1321.
• The Mausoleum of Theodoric 2 km from the city center, built in 520 by Theodoric himself, where he was buried.
• The Basilica of St. Apollinaris in Classe 5 km, is a remnant of the city of Classe, the ancient port of Ravenna. Consecrated in 549, contains precious mosaics in its grand interior.

Near Ravenna

• A few kilometers Wildlife Oasis Punta Alberete, an important example of Po mire forest with many species of waterfowl and marsh.
• Finally, the ancient pine forest of Class, "sung by Dante and Byron, now one of six stations where it is articulated the Regional Park of the Po Delta

Distances
Bologna 75 km
Milan 295 km
Rome 362 km