1st DAY – RAVENNA

We begin with a visit to the ancient Roman port of Classe which is part of the archaeological excavations in the area around St. Apollinaris in Classe. Created at the behest of Augustus, it is one of the most important port of the Roman and Byzantine world from which relevant traffic departed to Africa and the Orient. The route runs around the harbor warehouses and the paved road through the area. Overlay graphic panels scattered along the way shows how the area was at the time. We will visit then the Basilica of St. Apollinaris in Classe built by Giuliano Argentario in the first half of the 6th century, it has been called the greatest example of early Christian church which still retains the beauty of the original structure and the beautiful mosaics in the apse. Free lunch. Visit to Tamo, the mosaic Museum in the afternoon. To see, the theme section of Dante's great artists of the twentieth century Mosaics between Heaven and Hell. Then visit to the Domus of Stone Carpets, one of the most important Italian archaeological sites discovered in recent years: 14 rooms paved with polychrome mosaics and marble 3 meters below street level. Dinner and overnight.

 

2nd DAY – RAVENNA

Day dedicated to visit the Byzantine Ravenna: the Mausoleum of Galla Placida which she built for herself but never used it since she died and was buried in Rome: very simple outwardly, magical inside; the Basilica of San Vitale octagonal plan surmounted by a dome resting on eight pillars and arches. Entering the basilica, the eye is caught by the wide spaces and the apse mosaic decorations; the Basilica of St. Apollinaris Nuovo, commissioned by Theodoric next to his palace. Inside the wonderful mosaic decoration of the old building, it is the largest and oldest monumental cycle of the New Testament; the octagonal Neonian Baptistery, particularly valuable the inside: marbles at the bottom, stucco in the middle and mosaics in the upper one. At the center of the dome a representation of the Baptism of Christ in the waters of the Jordan; the Palace of the Da Polenta, today Lovatelli Palace, and the home of Francesca, one of the oldest houses in the town where, it is believed, Francesca "said da Rimini" lived. Free lunch. Dinner and overnight.

 

3rd DAY – RAVENNA

Morning dedicated to Dantesque Ravenna. Beginning with the "Zone of Silence" composed by Dante's Tomb built in the late 1700s to give decorum to Dante's tomb. Next to the tomb there is the garden with Quadrarco of Braccioforte, ancient oratory, whose name comes from a legend that tells of two believers who swore an oath invoking the "strong arm" of Christ. At the center of the garden a little ridge commemorates the place where Dante's remains during the Second World War were preserved; In the Franciscan cloisters there is also the Dante Museum and the Basilica of St. Francis where his funeral was held. Inside the Basilica, by a window placed under the main altar, you can see the 10th century crypt with fragments of mosaic floor. Free lunch. In the afternoon visit the Historical Classense Library located within the Camaldolese Abbey whose construction dates back to the early 1500s. Noteworthy is library built between the end of '600 and early' 700 by Abbot Canneti, adorned with statues, stucco and inlaid wooden shelves. Very important is the section dedicated to the Old Collections with various volumes and

manuscripts from the 10th to the 18th century. Dinner and overnight.
 

4th DAY – RAVENNA

Morning dedicated to visit the MAR, the Art Museum of the City of Ravenna. The museum is located in the monumental complex of the Loggia Lombardesca, the sixteenth-century monastery of the nearby Abbey of Santa Maria in Porto. Within its architectural space, it houses three permanent collections: one ancient, with works from the 14th to the 19th century including the statue of Guidarello Guidarelli by Tullio Lombardo (1525); one modern, with works from the 19th and the 21st century including a beautiful drawing of Gustav Klimt and one of contemporary mosaics with works from the middle of the '900 to date.

 

Price per person starting from € 295,00

 

Prices per person based on groups of 25 participants on half-board basis and cost guides included.

Transportation, entrance fees to places visited, drink excluded.

 

Tours will be made with a minimum of 08 participants.