Ravishing Ravenna, April 11th-14th, 2023

Just a two-hour high speed train ride (at a mere 250 km/hr) from Rome to Bologna and then another one-hour pleasant ride and there you are in Ravenna, the wonderful Adriatic coastal city which is famous for its exquisite and phenomenal mosaic collection (it's part of UNESCO'S World Heritage sites). 

The town’s origins are lost in legend but it was probably populated around the 6^th century B.C. by the Umbrians and the Etruscans.   There is evidence though that the Po Valley was once colonised in the 2^nd century B.C. by the Romans. 

A very well-organised and clean city of 155,000 souls, Ravenna’s most important sites are within walking distance of each other, with the exception of the Basilica of St. Apollinaire in Classe (that town had been  founded in the 1^st century A.D. by Caesar Augustus) which can instead be reached from Ravenna’s center by a pleasant 6 km (one way) bike ride along a rather nice (and flat) bicycle path. 

Our 4-star hotel (very nice by the way), the Palazzo Bezzi Ravenna (www.palazzobezzi.it), was conveniently positioned not too far away from the city’s center, Piazza del Popolo, and the surrounding mosaic masterpieces, beginning with the jaw-dropping Basilica di St. Vitale.  That Basilica is right next door to Augusta Galla Placidia’s Mausoleum (she had been the daughter of the Emperor Theodosius).  Galla died in 450 and was buried in Rome in the Theodosian mausoleum near St. Peter’s.

Other interesting sites that are worth visiting include the Duomo, the Ariani Baptistery, St. Apollinaire Nuovo and last but never least, the tomb of the “father of the Italian language”, Dante Alighieri, aka “The Divine Poet”.  Dante was born in Florence but was eventually exiled from his native land.  He died on the night of September 13-14, 1321 in Ravenna and was buried there.   The marble interior of Dante's tomb houses the funeral urn containing his remains.   

Beautiful ceramic streets signs.  

Theodoric's mausoleum.  

Yes, also a skating rink in Ravenna (and NO, I DON'T miss the ice and snow)!

Bull statues outside of the Basilica of St. Apollinare in Classe. 

The entrance to the magnificent Basilica di St. Vitale.  

                 

Food and vino?  Interesting the Indoor Market (it also has a dance hall) and the “Ca’ de’ Vén” restaurant with a rather interesting décor and with a very yummy  menu (and a nice wine list to go with it).   And clothing stores abound, including tasty pastry shops.  

Inside the Basilica di St. Vitale. 

Ravenna's central Piazza del Popolo. 

Unquestionably money WELL spent for a few days in lovely Ravenna!

The “Ca’ de’ Vén” restaurant. 

The statue in honour of Caesar Augustus in the town of Classe.  

Galla Placidia’s Mausoleum. 

Galla Placidia’s Mausoleum 

The floor inside the Basilica di St. Vitale.

The "Sommo Poeta's" tomb.