RAVENNA
A unique city in the world. Late capital of the Western Roman Empire in the V century
HISTORY
Ravenna collected the legacy of Rome and over the centuries has played a leading role in the history of Europe. It served as the capital of the Roman-Barbarian kingdom under Theodoric the Goth until it was re-conquered by the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire and later became the seat of the Exarchate. Ravenna’s splendid monuments bear witness to its role as political, commercial and artistic hub at different times for many civilizations. The Imperial Roman period and the splendid time in the mid VI century, when Ravenna became the capital of the Byzantine Empire, have left an extraordinary collection of basilicas, baptisteries, mausoleums. The harmony of classical buildings blends with the splendor of precious marbles and rich Byzantine mosaic decorations. More architectural styles were added during the Venetian rule, in Piazza del Popolo and Rocca Brancaleone, as well as during the Renaissance when the XVI century Classense Library was built.
Dante, Boccaccio, Byron and Klimt were inspired by the city and by the extraordinary beauty of the natural environment surrounding it. A magnificent pine wood and sandy beaches stretch along the Adriatic coast, where nine seaside resorts are equipped with tourist facilities and every comfort. Ravenna seaside has a tradition of hospitality and good organization well known all over Europe.
Ravenna is the city of mosaics, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. 8 monuments representing 1500 years of history are listed as UNESCO World Heritage for the following reason:”The early Christian and Byzantine religious monuments in Ravenna are of outstanding significance by virtue of the supreme artistry of the mosaic art. They are crucial evidence of artistic and religious relationships in an important period of European cultural history”. The 8 UNESCO World Heritage monuments are: - Orthodox Baptistry also known as Baptistry of Neon - Mausoleum of Galla Placidia - Arian Baptistry - Archiepiscopal Chapel - Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo - Mausoleum of Theoderic - Basilica of San Vitale - Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe