Tours & tickets

Ravenna Cathedral

See more of Ravenna with a combo ticket for San Vitale and Sant Apollinare Nuovo, with an included visit to St. Andrew's Chapel inside the Archiepiscopal Museum. Check out the San Vitale, an octagonal 6th-century wonder that combines classic Roman and Byzantine architectural elements. Along its walls, stories from the Old Testament are depicted using thousands of tiny tiles to create intricate mosaics. Adjacent mosaics pay loyal tribute to Roman royalty – Emporer Justinian I and Empress Theodora. You can also visit the mausoleum of Galla Placidia (if option selected), dating from the first half of the 5th century which is not far from the Basilica of San Vitale. Visit the Sant Apollinare Nuovo, and in credible architectural feat erected by Ostrogoth king Theodoric the Great in the 6th century. The discreet Sant Apollinare Nuovo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with hidden treasures. Venture inside and discover floor-to-ceiling mosaics from the Byzantine era, once painted black by Pope Gregory the Great to keep parishioners focused on prayer, and reconstructed after damage from WWI. Find the oldest mosaic cycle related to the life of Christ. Witness the famous St. Andrew's Chapel. Discover evidence of the religious divide during the early Byzantine era that can be seen clearly at St. Andrew's Chapel, where more mosaics tell the story of important people and places of Ravenna. Learn why this site is dubbed the "hidden pearl" of the Archbishop Museum. As the private chapel for the bishops of Ravenna, it contains epigraphs, the Cathedral treasure, and an ivory throne of bishop Maximian. Witness the Neonian Baptistery, named after Bishop Neon, who continued its construction after his predecessor, Ursus. Inside, it stands out for the decoration of the entire mosaic dome dating back to the time of Bishop Neone.

The site is of outstanding universal value being of remarkable significance by virtue of the supreme artistry of the mosaic art that the monuments contain, and also because of the crucial evidence that they provide of artistic and religious relationships and contacts at an important period of European cultural history. In this way the Unesco World Heritage motivated why eight monuments of Ravenna had been added to the World Heritage List. The eternal beauty of the mosaics guarded inside some of the most famous Ravenna Unesco monuments, Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Mausoleo di Galla Placidia, Basilica of San Vitale, Battistero Neoniano and Chapel of Sant'Andrea. The visit that starts from Piazza San Francesco, into the city centre, and leads you to several Unesco monuments.

Ravenna is a beautiful city in Northern Italy that was deeply influenced by Western Roman and Byzantine Empires and that reflects this influence in the art and the architecture of the city, combining the Roman Architecture and the Byzantine mosaics. Join this 3 hours private tour to see this unique artistic style. Follow our knowledgeable guide to discover the main monuments, such as the Baptistery of Neon, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia and the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo. Walk around the city, learn about its interesting history and its artistic richness, with is many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and feel its charming atmosphere. You will have the opportunity to admire some of the most beautiful mosaics in the world in the Basilica of san Vitale and in the Archbishop Chapel of St. Andrew. This tour will be full of art, beauty and history and it will be enriched by the commentaries and descriptions of our expert guide, making it a memorable and unforgettable experience.

This tour is perfect for travelers arriving at the port of Ravenna and continuing their journey to Venice. Upon arrival at Terminal Crociere - Porto Corsini Ravenna, your private driver will welcome you, assist with your luggage, and transport you to the historic center of Ravenna. While your luggage will remain safely stored in the car, I’ll take you on an enriching walking tour of Ravenna’s renowned UNESCO World Heritage sites. During this 2-3 hour tour, you’ll uncover the city’s fascinating history and marvel at its stunning artistic and architectural masterpieces. On this tour, we will explore five remarkable UNESCO World Heritage monuments: * Church of St. Vitale: A stunning masterpiece of early Christian Byzantine architecture. * Mausoleum of Galla Placidia: A gem of early Christian artistry, famed for its intricate mosaic designs. * Church of St. Apollinare Nuovo: Originally built as a royal church for the Gothic king. * Archbishop's Chapel: The only intact early Christian archbishop's chapel still standing today. * Neonian Baptistery: A beautifully preserved 5th-century baptistery, adorned with breathtaking mosaics. After the tour, you’ll have time to enjoy lunch. Your driver will then provide a seamless transfer to your final destination in Venice. Please note that drop-offs in Venice are limited to Marco Polo Airport or Piazzale Roma as cars are not permitted. From Piazzale Roma, you can take a vaporetto or water taxi to your accommodation in the historic center. However, if your hotel is in Mestre, please inform me after booking so I can notify the driver and arrange a direct drop-off. __ Ravenna is a city of exceptional historical and cultural importance, serving as a cornerstone of Late Antique Europe. Renowned for its magnificent mosaics that illuminate its sacred buildings, Ravenna was chosen as the capital of the Western Roman Empire in 402, heralding the start of its golden age. This tour offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the city’s unparalleled heritage and captivating beauty. My Credentials: * Certified tour guide and tour leader * Master’s degree in Sacred Art *Degree in Cultural Heritage Preservation * Accredited by the Diocese of Ravenna for the “Art and Faith Itineraries”, after successfully completing a specialized training program promoted by the Archdiocese of Ravenna-Cervia in collaboration with the Pontifical Gregorian University.