Byzantine mosaics, beaches and Dante’s final resting place: Why you should visit Ravenna this summer

17.03.2024 - 00:33 / euronews.com / Portia Jones

Located in Italy's culturally rich Emilia-Romagna region, Ravenna offers a fascinating blend of art, churches and historical landmarks.

The city's main claim to fame lies in its extraordinary collection of Byzantine mosaics, which adorn its ancient churches and monuments.

These intricate works of art, dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries, depict biblical scenes, saints and Byzantine emperors with intricate detail and craftsmanship.

The UNESCO-listed Basilica di San Vitale and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia are outstanding examples of Ravenna's mosaic mastery, drawing art enthusiasts worldwide to admire their exquisite beauty.

Ravenna's cultural heritage extends beyond its monuments and artworks to encompass its literary legacy.

The city served as the final resting place of Dante Alighieri, the father of the Italian language. His tomb in the 13th-century Basilica di San Francesco remains a pilgrimage site for literature enthusiasts and admirers of his seminal work, ‘The Divine Comedy’.

Beyond culture and UNESCO sites, Ravenna offers a wealth of restaurants, bike trails and bars that come alive in the humid summer season.

Here are our top reasons to take a trip to Ravenna this summer.

Ravenna has an astonishing number of historical and religious sites. Many exquisite early Christian mosaics have also survived the ruins of history and can be found in buildings across the town.

While religious architecture isn't everyone's idea of a fun day out, magnificent sites such as the Basilica of San Vitale should help persuade you otherwise.

This hauntingly beautiful Basilica is a marvellous example of early Christian Byzantine art and architecture in Europe. Though the outside may appear a little drab, the interior is rich with dazzling mosaics.

Numerous other churches and Basilicas are historically and culturally significant, including Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo and Basilica di San Vitale.

Ravenna is renowned for its exceptional collection of 5th and 6th century Byzantine mosaics.

These exquisite works of art represent some of the finest examples of Byzantine mosaic craftsmanship worldwide and some have earned UNESCO World Heritage status for their cultural significance.

One of the most iconic landmarks showcasing Ravenna's Byzantine mosaics is the Basilica di San Vitale, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture.

Inside the basilica, you can see intricate mosaics that depict scenes from the Old and New Testaments and portraits of Byzantine emperors and Empress Theodora and her court.

The colourful mosaics cover the basilica's walls, arches and domes, creating an extraordinary tableau.

Another must-see destination for art and culture lovers is the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, a small but magnificent chapel adorned with