Visiting Ravenna

Those who decide to spend their seaside holidays in Lido di Savio will also have the possibility to visit Ravenna, the famous city of mosaics. Some monuments in Ravenna, such as outstanding basilicas, sumptuous mausoleums and splendid baptistries, have been included in UNESCO World Heritage Site List for many years now. In the V century, Ravenna was the capital of the Western Roman Empire, and it played a fundamental role in Central Italy during the entire Middle Ages. Here is a list of the five most beautiful monuments in the city.

Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
This small building featuring a Latin cross plan was commissioned by the Empress Galla Placidia between 425 and 450 A.D. Its interior is fully covered with outstanding mosaics depicting a wonderful starry night sky. The most famous ones are the starry cross of the vault and the Good Shepherd which  is situated over the entrance.

Basilica of St. Vitale
Erected between 526 and 527, the Basilica of St. Vitale is the most important monument in Ravenna and boasts an inestimable historical and artistic value. The circular plan of the church gives visitors the possibility to admire its sumptuous apse, which is embellished by the splendid mosaics which were realized to celebrate the triumph of the Byzantine Emperor Justianian. The famous representations of Justinian and his court and Theodora with ministers and women are situated on the opposite sides of the high altar. The church also gathers outstanding sculptures and bas-reliefs , and also cherishes the remains of an ancient labyrinth.

Mausoleum of Theodoric
The mausoleum was commissioned by Theodoric around 520 A.D. as his own funerary monument. It is one of the most famous buildings of the ancient times, and is characterized by a two-storey circular plan which was largely made of white marble from Istria. Today, it is surrounded by a lush green park which develps outside the walls of the old town. One of its most peculiar features is the vault of the roof, which was made of a single marble monolith  having the diameter of 11 metres and the weigth of 300 tons.

Sant’Apollinare Nuovo
This huge basilica was commissioned by Theodoric at the beginning of the VI century. It was originally used as an Arian place of worship, but was then turned into a Catholic church after Justinian's conquers. Its interior is embellished by wonderful mosaics which date back to different moments of the story of Ravenna. Sant’Apollinare Nuovo cherishes the widest mosaic-covered surface of the ancient times. The most beautiful representations are those depicting the two parallel processions of Martyrs and Virgins, which embellish the walls of the central nave of the church.

Sant’Apollinare in Classe
Situated a short distance from Lido di Savio, it rises outside the centre of Ravenna, in the place which was occupied by the city's harbour during the Roman Age. Today, the basilica is surrounded by Ravenna's glorious countryside and rises a short distance from the mouth of the river Po. It cherishes wonderful mosaics, such as those depicting the Bishop of Sant'Apollinare on a gold background on the apse.