Ravenna

For other places with the same name, see Ravenna (disambiguation).

Ravenna is a city in the Romagna zone of Emilia-Romagna.

Understand

Ravenna is the home of the Mosaic Basilica, with a delightful small town atmosphere. It was the capital of the Western Roman Empire from 402 until its fall in 476.

Get in

By car

Ravenna is easy to get to from the A14. Follow the signs for A14D from the A14 East. The A14D ends some kilometres before Ravenna, but the roads to the town are clearly signposted. Once in the town, head for the centre (Centro). The town streets vary (as in all Italian towns and cities) with the main routes being large and navigable, the back streets being small and unsuited to large vehicles. As there are a number of ways in, make sure you have a town map before getting to the town, although this is good advice for any Italian town. Parking is easily attained, some free away from the old town centre, and typically 3 euro for 2.5 hours on the main street near the entry to the old town within 200 metres of the Basilica.

By train

There is a train station in Ravenna; there are main lines to Bologna and Rimini.

By bus

You can take a bus from any nearby town, it costs only a couple of euros.

By plane

There is an airport in the town of Forli' about 20 km from Ravenna. It serves Ryanair. The more expensive airlines fly to Bologna, about 80 km from Ravenna.

By Cruise Ship

Occasionally Ravenna pops up on Mediterranean cruise itineraries as the drop-off point for Bologna and San Marino. If your cruise includes this stop, be warned that cruise ships dock at Porto Corsini, about 15km away from Ravenna city center. Most cruise lines will offer a shuttle service to the city, sometimes for a fee. Note that there is nothing of any particular interest in Porto Corsini except a couple of long beaches frequented by locals, and buses are quite scarce. Unlike many ports, you don't tend to get many tour companies coming to offer tours of the area, so it may be wise to pre-book a shore excursion from your cruise line - these are normally tours to Bologna, San Marino and Ravenna itself.

Get around

• Walking. Ravenna is a walker's paradise, to say nothing of a shopping heaven for some. The old town is a mainly pedestrian area with cafes and bars on every corner and some hidden away through small access alleys. Note that everything is a little more expensive near the Basilica.

If you want to do any shopping, be aware that the shops in Ravenna observe a siesta from about 12:30 to around 4pm when the only things open are small bookshops and cafes.

See

The Basilica of Sant' Apollinare Nuovo costs about €7 to enter and see the entire building and the amazing mosaics. If you like old churches and interesting architecture, this is a must see.

For those interested in historical figures, the town also contains Dante's Tomb (author of the Divine Comedy). It is less than a 1 km walk from the Basilica.

• Sant'Apollinare in Classe, Via Romea Sud, ☎ +39 0544 473569. open Mon-Sat, 08:30-19:30, Sun, 13:00-19:30. As the name indicates, this church is not in Ravenna, but in Classe, a village a few kilometers southeast of Ravenna. To get there, take the bus 4 that departs from the Ravenna railway station. Avoid buying your ticket on board, as it will cost €2 a ride instead of €1,3 if you get it before boarding. If you're at the railway station, head for the red-signed Chef Express Bar, to the right of the station when facing it, where they sell tickets. Be sure to buy a ticket for your return as well, as it is difficult to find a reseller of bus tickets in Classe, especially on Sundays. Like many Ravenna churches, Sant'Apollinare in Classe is known for its exceptional mosaics.
• Basilica of San Vitale, Via San Vitale, ☎ +39 0544 219518. open daily 09:00-19:00. huge church of San Vitale has mosaics everywhere, and it is considered a major monument in Western art history..
• Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Via San Vitale, ☎ "="+39. open daily 09:00-19:00. cross-shaped structure housing the tomb of Galla Placidia, sister of Honorius and Empress of Rome. Galla, who died in 450 AD, is one of history's most powerful women..

Tickets and reservations [4]

Do

Take the time to walk around. The town is full of the most charming surprises, be it a cafe or the outstanding fashion shops.

Buy

Stylish fashions from all over Italy are available in the small boutique style shops. You won't find big stores here as you would in Milan or Rome, but there is a small town charm to them.

Eat

You are in Italy; eat Italian food. There are many small pizzerias and trattorias in the town that serve excellent and inexpensive fare. A typical meal of pizza and a beer will cost around 10 to 15 euro. In the main square, the cafe serves excellent Capuccino for about 2 euro. The self-service cafe in the central market (just north of the main square and the Hotel Byron) is excellent for lunches (7,50 to 10 euros).

For an excellent example of a typical Romagnolo menu at local prices, try Ristorante Al Passatore (via di Roma, opposite the "Palazzo di Teodorico"). It's a local institution, and serves large and good pizzas.

If you find yourself in the middle of the historical center at lunchtime, there are a few eateries to chose from in the touristy but pretty via IV Novembre. Trying a typical piadina or crescione at La Piadina del Melarancio is always a good idea; having a slice of pizza al taglio at Alice, just next door, is another one. Both are unexpensive and tasty.

Sleep

• Dante Youth Hostel [5] [6]
• Hotel Byron [7] [8] in the centre of Ravenna, within walking distance of the most important monuments; tel.0039/544/33479; fax 0039/544/34114;
• Hotel Bisanzio [9] [10]

• Hotel Diana Ravenna – Via Girolamo Rossi, 47 - Cap: 48100, Ravenna, Italy. [11]. Telephone +39 05 4439164 • Fax +39 05 4430001. Three star hotel set in a 18th century building of the city centre of Ravenna, with 48 rooms and suites, and affordable rates to visit the Byzantine mosaic of the former capital of the roman empire. All the bedrooms of the Diana Hotel Ravenna come with private bath, satellite TV and breakfast included.

• Hotel Villa Roncuzzi [12] [13]
• NH Jolly Ravenna, Piazza Mameli, 1, +39 0544 35762 [14].

• Residence Resort Il poggio dei pini*** Residence 3 stars in Marina Romea, vistit website [15]Via delle Altee, 34

48100 Marina Romea (RA) mail: [email protected] tel.0544 44 85 83 fax 0544 441014

• Casa Masoli, Via Rossi 22, ☎ +39 335 6099471, [1]. checkin: 12am; checkout: 10am. Casa Masoli is a wonderful Bed and Breakfast located in the center of Ravenna. Rooms are large and ceilings are decorated. It is an old house with history. The owner is a gentle and friendly lady that speaks fluent English. Reservations can be made via email at [email protected] but you have to send a deposit or give your credit card number. All major cards accepted. Breakfast is huge and served until 10 am. There is courtyard to sit outside and relax. Smoking is allowed in the courtyard. Dogs may be or may not be allowed as the landlady has a dog herself. Just ask in advance. 70 € for a double Room.
• Palazzo Bezzi, Via di Roma 45, ☎ +39.0544 36926, [2]. Wonderful very high-quality 4-star hotel in Ravenna. Amazing rooms, sun deck and spa treatments.
• Ca' Rosa (Tourist Home), via Sebastiano Fusconi 13, [3]. checkin: 14.00; checkout: 11.00. 40-67.

Get out

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