Given the significant increase in cruise traffic in Ravenna, this summer I decided to offer a new guided tour, designed especially for tourists who call in the Byzantine city.
A short but suggestive itinerary, a walk of about 2 hours in which you can visit the two most famous UNESCO sites in Ravenna: the Basilica of San Vitale and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, among the most known and appreciated sights in the world.
The guided tour will start from the beautiful Basilica of San Vitale (dating back to the first half of the sixth century), witness of the Roman-Byzantine Empire, that was reunified after the Arian period. It is the only religious building in which all the Byzantine architectural features are present.
With its octagonal central plan, the church still retains all its thousand-year-old charm with the splendid mosaic depictions, representing scenes of the Old Testament. The famous panels depicting the imperial couple Justinian and Theodora express all the political, spiritual and military power of the Eastern Roman Empire.
A short distance from the Basilica of San Vitale is the Mausoleum of the Roman Empress Galla Placidia (dating back to the first half of the fifth century), that will be our second stop.
The dome houses the most expressive and famous part of the decoration. The famous starry sky, composed of 570 gold and deep blue stars, is a clear reference to the concept of eternal life. In fact, the empress herself wanted the victory of life over death to be expressed in the mausoleum, and therefore the resurrection and eternal life. The two lunettes depicting the martyrdom of San Lorenzo and the Good Shepherd are of unspeakable beauty.
At the end of the tour you can also enjoy a tasting of typical products, such as the delicious piadina or the traditional cappelletti romagnoli, at the characteristic Mercato Coperto. Te guide herself will offer the tasting to the first people who book the tour.
The guided tours will start from the 1st of August, and can be booked every day from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm.
It will be possible to book both customized private tours and group tours.
The meeting point will be at the shuttle stop in Viale Farini.
For more info on the guided tour and to book your tour SEE THE ITINERARY.
I can’t wait to guide you through these two symbols of Ravenna, and to tell you other interesting curiosities related to these important monuments. Book now your guided tour… in a moment!