Itinerary

 

Duration: two nights, three days.

Way of transport: car and/or train

Itinerary: Ravenna, Bagnacavallo, Faenza, Brisighella, Sant'Apollinare in classe, Lido di Classe.

 

DAY 1 – RAVENNA

Arrival in Ravenna. A visit to the city. We'll discover the countless historical and artistic treasures of the city, but before that, let's take a trip through time and discover the secrets of Dante's Ravenna.

In the morning: A visit to the Tomb of Dante (1780), the Quadrarco di Braccioforte (where Dante's bones were found in 1885), the Basilica of Saint Francis (where Dante went to pray and his funeral held), and the Dante Centre and Museum.

In the afternoon, we'll go on a trip to discover the Byzantine Mosaics, the same ones that, after he moved to Ravenna in 1318, Dante admired and which inspired the final draft of his Paradiso. Must-sees: the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, the San Vitale and Sant'Apollinare Nuovo Basilicas, the Baptistry of Neon, the Archdiocesan Museum. Lastly, you really shouldn't miss a visit to the Da Polenta Palaces, including the so-called “Casa di Francesca” (also known as "Francesca da Rimini").

 

DAY 2 – BAGNACAVALLO, FAENZA, BRISIGHELLA

You can visit the surrounding areas of Ravenna by car or by train: the first stop we recommend is Bagnacavallo, a medieval town with a preserved old historical centre, with a unique sinuous structure, long porticoed streets and a large number of noble palaces and religious buildings. Hospitality, culture, food and wine are the heritage of this small piece of land that Dante got to know and mentioned in his Divine Comedy. Must-sees: Piazza Nuova and the San Pietro in Sylvis Parish Church. Among the curiosities of the town, the Giardino dei Semplici (Botanical Garden), the Vicolo degli amori (Lovers' Lane) and the Gabinetto delle Stampe at the Museo Civico delle Cappuccine (Prints Cabinet at the Capuchin Civic Museum) are worth a visit. On Piazza della Libertà, in front of the Palazzo Comunale, is the Goldoni Theatre, often called "a mini Scala" because of its beauty.

 

Around Bagnacavallo: About 1 km from the historical centre is the Podere Pantaleone, a natural oasis of about six hectares of great environmental interest, evidence of old Romagna countryside. In Villanova, 7 km away, is the Ecomuseo delle Erbe Palustri (the Living Museum of Marsh Grasses) with over 2,000 findings that tell the story of the relationship between humans and the wetlands of the valley.

 

From here, we'll make another trip and reach Faenza. Once here, we'll visit the prestigious MIC and relax with a little shopping along the craft shops of the delightful historical centre.

 

Near Faenza, is the medieval town of Brisighella, nestled in a sea of green, which can also be reached with the "Dante Train", which crosses the Tuscany-Romagna Apennines from Faenza to Florence and back. Brisighella lies at the foot of three peaks of chalk, the imposing Rocca Manfrediana, the Torre dell'Orologio and the Santuario del Monticino. Unique in the world: the Via degli Asini (Donkey Road), elevated and covered. A long time ago, this road offered shelter to the animals of the carters that lived there.

Part of the rich agricultural produce of the area is the fine "Brisighello" extra virgin olive oil, certified with the European PDO mark. The Open Air Museum of Oil is dedicated to the Brisighello, and it winds along hill roads and ancient olive trees that surround the small town.

We recommend dinner at one of the lovely traditional restaurants in Brisighella. In the evening, we can head back to spend the night in Ravenna, about an hour away by train or car.

 

DAY 3 – LIDO DI CLASSE

Before setting off on our trip, we can't miss a visit to Sant'Apollinare in Classe, about 15 minutes away by car or bus. The Basilica was built in the first half of the 6th century, financed by Julianus Argentarius for Ursicinus, bishop of Ravenna; in the lower part of the apse, there is a mosaic depicting a green valley with flowers, rocks, bushes, plants and trees. In the centre stands the stately figure of Saint Apolllinaris, the first bishop of Ravenna, with his arms raised in prayer.

 

For those who love the seaside, instead, we recommend a trip to Lido di Classe, which is particularly suited to families and those who want to relax by the sea. There are various tourist activities dedicated to nature in Lido di Classe, especially thanks to the ancient pine forest that surrounds it, mentioned by Dante in his Purgatorio.