Piazza del Popolo, the central square of Ravenna

Piazza del Popolo, the City Hall

A suggestive street of downtown Ravenna

Galla Placidia’s Mausoleum (built circa 450 AD)

Basilica of New St. Apollinaris: mosaic of Theodoric’s Palace

For a detailed list of monuments and places to visit, with opening times and ticket information, visit the Art and Culture page.

Faenza is a small town with one main focus: ceramics. Countless artisan studios are all over the town, some offering ceramics with traditional decoration patterns, dating back to the Middle Ages, some others proposing modern styles of contemporary local artists.

The International Museum of Ceramics is a great place to spend a few hours, getting to know different styles of ceramics from all over the world. The downtown area is a pleasant space to walk and do some shopping, while admiring the secular and religious palaces around you.

Al Gallo
Via Maggiore 87
Tel. 0544-213775
Closed Sunday evening, Monday and Tuesday

Capannetti
Via Ravegnana-Vicolo Capannetti 21
Tel. 0544-66681
Closed Sunday evening and Monday

Marchesini
corner of Via Mazzini and Via Guaccimanni – 48100 Ravenna
Tel. 0544-212-309, Fax 0544-217-071
http://www.ristorantimarchesini.com

Al Porto
Via Delle Nazioni, 2
Tel. 0544-530-105, Fax 0544-537-329
Closed on Mondays

Tre Spade
Via Faentina 136
Tel. 0544-500-522, Fax 0544-500-820
Closed Sunday and Monday

Restaurants in Faenza

La Pavona
Ristorante Osteria Grapperia
Via S. Lucia 45/1
Tel. 0546-310-75

Le Volte
Corso Mazzini, 54
Tel. 0546-661-600

Marianaza Trattoria
Via Torricelli, 21
Tel. 0546-681-461

Every July, Ravenna hosts the Ravenna Jazz Festival, with several stars coming to town for a series of concerts in suggestive outdoor and indoor stages. More information at
    Europe Jazz Network
    tel. 0544 405666, fax 0544 405656
    e-mail :ejn@ejn.it

There are several pubs in Ravenna and Faenza where people go, especially on weekends nights.
There is one disco in Ravenna, the “Kubrick”, open on Weekend nights in winter.
During summer, the excitement of the nightlife is all on the beach towns, where clubs and bars are open every night, sometimes until late (4 a.m.). By car or by taxi, the closest places are Marina di Ravenna and Marina Romea. Their beach areas are less developed and there’s more open space, and the few pubs and disco directly on the beach are becoming a favorite spot for the young local crowd.

Pubs and discos in Ravenna

Capitani Coraggiosi – Viale Baracca, 74 – Via Cura, 37. Tel. 054430381
Hapax Pub – Via Dismano. Tel. 0544566142
Il Mulino – Via Antonelli, 9. Tel. 0544464711
Mac Gowan – Via R. Serra, 17.
Rock Caffè – Via Castel S.Pietro, 9.
Zeppelin – Via Porto Coriandro, 7. Tel. 054452256
Kubrick – Disco – Viale delle Nazioni, 1130
 

Pubs and discos in Faenza

Coccodrillo Pub – Viale Ceramiche, 29. Tel. 0546681397
Lismore Irish Pub – Via Emilia Levante, 23. Tel. 0546634456
Max Music – Via XX Settembre, 29. Tel. 054621929
Music Planet – Via Proventa, 50. Tel. 03389435023
Panama City – Via Canal Grande. Tel. 054622022
 

Pubs and discos in Marina di Ravenna
 

Duna degli Orsi – Via Pace, 60. Tel. 0544530548
Ghinea – Viale Trieste, 356. Tel. 0544530215
Habana Balneario – Viale delle Nazioni 26. Tel. 0544530660
Hook – Via Rismondo, 26. Tel. 0544530367
Il Porticino – Piazzale Adriatico, 4. Tel. 0544531199
Taverna Bukowski – Viale delle Nazioni, 176. Tel. 0544530845
XXXX – Viale Delle Nazioni 244. Tel. 0544530401
MoWa – DiscoBar – V.le delle Nazioni 177 – Tel: 0544 530234 E-mail: mowa@mowa.it

Pubs and discos in Marina Romea

Boca Barranca – Viale Italia 301. Tel. 0544447858
Marvin Wine Bar Pub – Via delle Palme, 8.
Sante’s Pub – Viale Ferrara, 17. Tel. 0544446322

Dante wrote part of his Commedia while living in Ravenna, and a museum today holds his memory and inspiring work.
In summer, Ravenna’s second love, music, takes the stage with the “Ravenna Festival”. The festival is in July and has hosted during the years Luciano Pavarotti, Renato Bruson, Wolfgang Sawallisch and many others. Later in the season the “Ravenna Jazz” festival starts, and a different rhythm fills the arenas and open air theatres.

Second largest in the district, Faenza is known in the whole world for its ceramics. Pottery in Spanish is “faenza”, “faience” in French, “Fayence” in German. The International Museum of Ceramics contains thousands of pieces dating from ancient days to Picasso and Chagall. And you can easily take something home with you, from the many studios and workshops of local artists.
The year in Faenza starts with the “Nott de Biso’” on the 5th, the Mulled Wine Night, when people gather downtown to burn the effigy of the old year and bring in the new one with mulled wine, or biso’, in Romagnan dialect.
At the end of June, a medieval challenge is revived, the “Palio del Niballo”, a jousting tournament with the whole city dressed up in the colors of the old five districts.

History Notes on Ravenna

Originally founded by Greeks in the fourth century BC, Ravenna was developed by the Romans and became a main naval base under emperor Augustus. After the barbarian invasion in 402, Ravenna was named by Honorius capital of the Western Roman Empire, and a long period of prosperity started.

Honorius’ half-sister Galla Placidia was the first Empress in Ravenna.

Barbarian kings Odoacre (476) and Teodorico (493) ruled the town, then it was controlled again by the Byzantine king Belisario.

It was during this golden age that the many monuments and memorials were built, the interiors often decorated with splendid mosaics.
Whether they celebrate Imperial glory, as in the side panels of the apse at S. Vitale (6th century) or whether they celebrate the triumph of Christianity, as in Galla Placidia (5th c.), the mosaics offer a unique testament to those centuries.

The Longobards took over in the 8th century, and later the territory was conquered by the Franks and donated to pope Stephen II. The bishops of the town, though, opposed the direct control of the pope army and allied with the German emperors.

During the middle age, the importance and extension of Ravenna’s province shrank to its actual size, given the vicinity with the rising power of Venice.

Controlled by different families during the Renaissance, in 1509 it became again part of the Church State dominions, which kept the district until 1860, when it finally was incorporated in the newly born Italian kingdom.

You can reach Ravenna by train from Bologna (1 hour trip) or any other major city.

Highway A14 Bologna-Ancona has a bypass to downtown Ravenna, freeway E-45 from Rome and Cesena ends in Ravenna. higway SS 16 (Adriatica) passes through Ravenna as well.

Faenza

Faenza is along the Emily way (SS 9), about 30 miles south-east of Bologna. It is connected to highway A14 and SS 302.
Train lines connect Faenza to Ravenna, Bologna and Florence as well as Cesena and Rimini.

Airports

For both Ravenna and Faenza, the nearest international airports are Bologna (BLQ) and Rimini (RMI).

Ravenna

The touristic and cultural area of Ravenna is relatively small and concentrated downtown, except for Theodoric’s Mausoleum and the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe.
Driving downtown Ravenna is difficult, since there a lot of one way streets, and the town is not built as a square grid of roads. There are several public parking lots, so we advice to park and walk to the places you intend to visit and see.
Taking the train or a bus from another city is also a good idea, since both the main bus station and the train station are close to downtown.
Tourist Information Offices in Ravenna have multi-lingual free maps for walking tours and with parking information, as well as public transportation options.

Faenza

Faenza is a small town, and you can easily walk or bike in the downtown area, where there are most monuments, ceramic studios and the International Museum of Ceramics.
From the train station, you can walk south on Corso Baccarini to the city center, or take either line A or B of ATM (metro bus service).
You can view and download the bus schedule and map from the ATM web site.

Brisighella

The natural hot springs made the fortune of this little medieval town in the Appennini mountains, about 10 km (9 miles) from Faenza. You can reach Brisighella by car from Faenza by taking ‘SS302′ towards Florence, or by train, again from Faenza.
One of the best events in town is the “Feste Medioevali” (Medieval Festival), which takes place usually the last week of June. It’s a rievocation of ancient times, with dance shows, games, theatrical plays, etc. You also get to shop using special “medieval” money (valid only during the festival).

Ferrara

Ferrara was an important medieval centre and one of the most opulent courts of the Renaissance. About 65km (40 miles) from Ravenna, Ferrara can be reached by car on SS16 (Adriatica) or by train or bus.
Together with the nearby Po Delta, it is in the UNESCO’s list of World’s Heritage sites.
You can find more information as well as pictures at Ferrara Tourism Board

Basilica of S.Apollinare Nuovo

address: Via Roma – 48100 Ravenna
opening hours: 9.30-4.30pm, daily
Phone: +39 0544 219938

The basilica was built in the late 5th century as a church for Arian worship. After the year 540, when the city was occupied by the Byzantines, it was taken over like all other sacred buildings. Towards the 9th century, the Basilica took its present name, when the relics of Sant’Apollinare, first bishop of Ravenna, were transferred here. The church was called Sant’Apollinare Nuovo (New) to distinguish it from a smaller, much older church in the city known as Sant’Apollinare in Veclo.
The facade is now preceded by a simple 16th century marble portico. The fine cylindrical belltower on the right, a typical example of Ravennese church architecture, was built in the 9th or 10th century.
The interior has three naves, and it is supported by 24 columns with Corinthian capitals. In the 16th century the columns were raised by 1.20 meters, thus altering the church’s architectonic proportions. Restoration work has been in process since 1986, especially on the presbytery.
The mosaics: there are thirteen rectangular panels on each wall, interspaces by a coloured shell decoration with two doves stretching out towards the cross. The scenes describe various episodes in the life of Christ.
The mosaics which run along the lower part of the walls are the most complex, because they belong to different historical periods. They depict the palace of Theodoric and the harbor of Class.
The vast wall on the left is covered by the mosaics of twenty-two virgins, preceded by the Three Kings and advance towards the Virgin Mary seated on the throne with the Holy Child in her lap, surrounded by foyr angles. The wall on the right portrays twenty-six martyrs, all dressed in white, except for San Martino (the basilica’s second bishop) who leads the procession towards Christ.

Basilica of S.Vitale

address: Via Fiandrini – 48100 Ravenna
opening hours: 9.30-4.30pm, daily
Phone: +39 0544 215193

” The most glorious example of Byzantine art in the west ”
The eastern influence which is detectable in so many of Ravenna’s monuments, is the predominant feature of this basilica. Instead of the traditional three naves, it is octagonal in shape with a central core surmounted by a dome and supported by eight columns and arches.
The mosaics cover the walls and vault of the presbitery and the conch of the apse. In the latter, we see Christ seated on a globe with four fountains springing from the rock beneath it. Below, on each side, there are two imperial mosaics: on the right, the empress Theodora is accompanied by Court dignitaries. On the left, we have the scene of the emperor’s gift. Two figures takes centre attention: the Emperor Justinian and bishop Maximian.
More mosaics cover the triumphal arches and the presbitery, mostly with floreal or animal motifs.

Galla Placidia’s Mausoleum

address: Via Fiandrini – 48100 Ravenna
opening hours: 9.30-4.30pm, daily
Phone: +39 0544 215193

This is situated near San Vitale and it is the oldest monument of its kind left intact. Despite the name, it is almost certain that it never housed the remains of Augusta Galla Placidia, daughter of emperor Theodosius.
While the exterior has a simple, sober line, the interior is surprisingly lavish and elaborately decorated.
The vaults of each of the four arms, the central dome and even the lunettes at each end of the four vaults, are covered in mosaics. The dominant theme of these mosaics is Christian redemption, although there are many decorative motifs (the stars on the vaults, the two doves drinking water) that have become a signature of Ravenna’s mosaics.

The Duomo

address: Piazza del Duomo – 48100 Ravenna
opening hours: 7.30-12.00 2.30 pm -5.00 pm, daily
Phone: +39 0544 30328

Originally built by bishop Orso at the beginning of the fifth century, it underwent many alterations until it was demolished and replaced by the current building, completed in 1743.
The exterior shows a contrast between the 10th century cylindrical bell-tower and the baroque facade. This is preceded by a portico, where we can also admire four colums belonging to the original cathedral.
The interior houses some interesting works from the Paleo-Christian period, specifically some finest tombs from the fifth century.

Dante’s zone

address: Via Dante Alighieri 9 – 48100 Ravenna
opening hours: 9.00-12.00 2.00pm-5.00pm, daily
Phone: +39 0544 30252

The Divine Poet died in Ravenna on 13th September, 1321. No great monument has been erected in memory of Dante, and perhaps this is also because it was buried under a small portico in the nearby church of St. Francis. The current mausoleum was built in the eigthteenth century, and its remain finally placed in its urn in 1865, after centuries long disputes between Ravenna and Florence. Outside the tomb, an iron gate leads into a garden abunding in historical memories. An external flight of steps leads to the Museo Dantesco, the museum of Dante. Various gifts and curious are laid out in the five rooms.

Piazza del Popolo

This square is in the city centre, and is both spacious and intimate. It is surrounded by some interesting historical buildings:
Palazzo del Comune on the western side, was rebuilt in 1861. Two columns, erected by the Venetian Republic in 1483 stand in front of the building. Originally, these columns were surmounted by two statues: one of Saint Apollinare, first bishop of Ravenna, and the lion of San Marco, which was removed in 1509 and replaced by the statue of San Vitale.
The Palazzetto Veneziano is situated on the south side of the square, and it was built by the Venetians at the end of the 15th century.
The Prefettura, built in 1696, was formerly the residence of the Apostolic Delegate, and adjoins the palazzetto veneziano.
Opposite stands the Credito Romagnolo building erected in 1770 and formerly known as Palazzo Rasponi del Sale.
The Banca Nazionale del Lavoro building and the public clock complete the square.
The city tower is situated to the left of this building and leans by 2 meters on one side, due to subsidence. The tower is 39 meters high and it is believed to have been built in the 12th century.

Theodoric’s Mausoleum

address: Via delle Industrie 14 – 48100 Ravenna
opening hours: 8.30 – 4.30 pm (Ticket office closes at 4 pm), daily
Phone: +39 0544 451539
Full price tickets: Euro 2.00

Ravenna owes much to Theodoric, who was a protagonist of numerous historical events and who is associated with many of the city’s great monuments.
Theodoric became king of Italy in 473, after laying siege to Ravenna and overthrowing Odoacer. He governed wisely for almost thirty-three years and built many monuments in his capital city, Ravenna.

The mausoleum was built on the site of a former Gothic cemetery. It is built from large, square blocks of Istrian stone held together by iron cramps. It is a two-story, ten-sided structure. The interior is a cross-shaped room, lit by six small windows.
What makes the mausoleum so fascinating and original, however, is the roof: a circular cover made from a single block of istrian stoen, 33 feet in diameter, almost 3 feet thick and weighing 500 metric tons.

• Hotels in Ravenna
• Hotels in Faenza
• Bed and Breakfast in Ravenna
• Hostels

A detailed list of all available accomodation solutions in Ravenna and its county is provided by the Tourism Board of Ravenna: Accomodations in Ravenna

Hotels in Ravenna:

ALBERGO BISANZIO ****
Via Salara, 30 – 48100 Ravenna
Tel. 0544-217-111, Fax 0544-325-39
www.bisanziohotel.com
e-mail: info@bisanziohotel.com

JOLLY HOTEL RAVENNA ****
Piazza Mameli, 1 – 48100 Ravenna
Tel. 0544-357-62, Fax 0544-216-055
www.jollyhotels.it
e-mail: ravenna@jollyhotels.it

HOTEL ARGENTARIO ***
V. Roma, 45 – 48100 Ravenna (RA)
Tel. 0544-35555

ALBERGO ASTORIA ***
Circonv. Rotonda, 26 – 48100 Ravenna (RA)
Tel. 0544 453960, Fax 0544 455419

ALBERGO CENTRALE BYRON ***
Via IV Novembre, 14 – 48100 Ravenna
Tel. +39.0544.33479, Fax +39.0544.34114
www.hotelbyron.com

CLASS HOTEL RAVENNA ***
Via Della Lirica, 141 – 48100 Ravenna
Tel. +39.0544.270290 – Fax +39.0544.270170
www.classhotel.com
e-mail: classra@tin.itALBERGO DIANA ***
Via G. Rossi, 47 – 48100 Ravenna
Tel. +39.0544.39164, Fax +39.0544.30001
e-mail: hoteldiana@netgate.it

HOTEL ITALIA ***
4, vl. Pallavicini – 48100 Ravenna (RA)
Tel. 0544 212363, Fax 0544 217004HOTEL MINERVA ***
1/a, vl. Maroncelli – 48100 Ravenna (RA)
Tel. 0544 213711, Fax 0544 213711

ALBERGO HOTEL ROMA ***
V. Candiano 26 – 48100 Ravenna (RA)
tel: 0544-421-515

HOTEL MOSAICO ***
Via Darsena, 9 – 48100 Ravenna
Tel. +39.0544.456665, Fax +39.0544.456673
www.mosaicohotels.it
e-mail: info@mosaicohotels.it

Hotels in Faenza

HOTEL CAVALLINO ****
Via Forlivese, 185 – 48018 Faenza (RA)
Tel. 0546-634-411, Fax 0546-634-440HOTEL VITTORIA ****
Corso Garibaldi, 23 – 48018 Faenza (RA)
Tel. 0546-215-08, Fax 0546-291-36
www.hotel-vittoria.com
info@hotel-vittoria.com

CLASS HOTEL***
Via S. Silvestro 171
Tel. 0546-466-62, Fax 0546-466-76
www.classhotel.com
info.faenza@classhotel.com
 

Bed and breakfast

BONDI LUISA
Via Pallavicini, 7 – 48100 Ravenna Tel. 1780-169449
www.bondibandb.it
e-mail: info@bondibandb.it

CAPANNETTI – PAPI CLAUDIA
Vicolo Capannetti, 19 – 48100 Ravenna – Tel. 0544-67588
e-Mail: capannetti@libero.it

CASADELENA – CASADEI ELENA
Via Don Minzoni,115 – 48100 Ravenna – Tel. 0544-454790
www.casadelena.it

DIAFERIO ROSARIA
Via dei Poggi, 138 – 48100 Ravenna – Tel. 0544-472060

DIAFERIO SABRINA
Via G. Rota, 26 – 48100 Ravenna – Tel. 339-7377569

DIAFERIO SALVATORE
Via R. Conti, 44 – 48100 Ravenna – Tel. 338-8212916

FUSCONI PIER ALBERTO
Circ.S.Gaetanino, 39 – 48100 Ravenna – Tel./Fax 0544-32256
Mobile phone: 333-6034496
e-mail: fusconibeb@virgilio.it

GALLA PLACIDIA – BUSSO GABRIELLA
Via Mura S.Vitale, 12 – 48100 Ravenna -Tel./Fax 0544-33287 Cell. 339-4446396

GHIRELLI MARIA
Via Vallona, 38 – 48100 Ravenna -Tel. 0544-460362

GUIDARELLO – CASADIO VALERIANA
Circ.ne Piazza d’Armi, 54-56 – 48100 Ravenna – Tel. 0544-61249
www.bandbguidarello.com
e-mail: info@bandbguidarello.com

IL LIMONE – SIMONETTI SUSANNA MARIA
Via Scaletta , 9 – 48100 Ravenna – Tel. 0544-32329
e-mail charlottenburg@libero.it

NANNI ADRIANA
Via Monte Adamello, 7 – 48100 Ravenna – Tel. 347-1507328

NOTTE BLU – MINGHETTI FEDERICA
Via del Liscio, 80 – 48100 Ravenna – Tel. 335-6644570

PAGANO ALFIA
Via Redipuglia, 22 – 48100 Ravenna -Tel. 0544-400952

R4ALTA ELISABETTA
Via Salara, 11 – 48100 Ravenna -Tel. 0544-32035

SANVITALE- ALBANO RITA
Via P.Matteucci, 42 – 48100 Ravenna – Tel. 0544-37243

UGOLINI LAURA
Via San Mama, 53 – 48100 Ravenna – Tel. 0544-405442
e-mail: fidelio79@tiscalinet.it

VIJGEN ADDY MARIA MIRJAM
Via Cassino, 49 – 48100 Ravenna – Tel. 0544-400774

Hostels