Ravenna

In 402 AD, the Western Roman Emperor Honorius moved his capital from Milan to Ravenna, seeking a more secure and defensible location. From that moment, the city served as the capital of the Western Roman Empire until the empire’s collapse in 476 AD.

After the fall of the Western Empire, Ravenna became the capital of the Ostrogothic Kingdom, ruled by Theodoric the Great. Under his leadership, the city experienced cultural renewal and architectural development, including important basilicas and monuments.

In 540 AD, Byzantine general Belisarius captured Ravenna, which thereafter became the capital of Byzantine Italy. As the seat of the Exarchate of Ravenna, it served as the western administrative center of the Eastern Roman Empire for centuries.

Briefly interrupted by Lombard incursions, Ravenna fell under Papal control in 756 AD, beginning a long period within the Papal States. Its political influence diminished, yet its artistic legacy, especially mosaics, endured.

In the 19th century, Ravenna was incorporated into the Kingdom of Italy following national unification. Today, it is a vibrant cultural city, renowned for its early Christian and Byzantine monuments and UNESCO World Heritage status.

Geographically, Ravenna occupies a flat, low-lying area of the Po Valley, characterized by lagoons, wetlands, and reclaimed land. The city center lies about 8 kilometers from the Adriatic Sea, reflecting a long-standing relationship between urban life and maritime routes.

Ravenna is connected to the Adriatic through the Candiano Canal, an artificial waterway that links the historic center directly to the coast. This canal has played a key role in the city’s economic and strategic development, allowing access to maritime trade while keeping the urban core inland.

Urban extensions stretch toward the coast through the area of the Port of Ravenna, one of the most important commercial ports in Italy. The port zone connects the city to international shipping routes and reinforces Ravenna’s historic identity as a gateway between land and sea.

The city is positioned within northern and central Italy. Ravenna is located approximately 55 kilometers northwest of Rimini, 75 kilometers east of Bologna, and 130 kilometers northeast of Florence, placing it at the crossroads of several major cultural regions.

By train: Ravenna has a central railway station with regular regional and intercity connections. Trains link Ravenna directly with Bologna, Rimini, Ferrara, and other cities in Emilia-Romagna. Bologna Centrale acts as the main hub, offering frequent onward connections to Ravenna, with travel times averaging just over one hour.

By road: Traveling by car, Ravenna is accessible via major highways and state roads. The city lies near the E45 and SS16 routes, which connect it with Rimini, Ferrara, and the Adriatic coast. Motorway access is straightforward from Bologna, making road travel convenient for visitors arriving from northern or central Italy.

By bus: Long-distance buses connect Ravenna with several Italian cities, including Bologna and Rimini. Regional bus services also link Ravenna with nearby towns and coastal resorts. Bus travel is a practical option for short distances and complements the rail network, especially for areas not directly served by trains.

By air: The closest airport is Federico Fellini International Airport in Rimini, about 60 kilometers southeast of Ravenna. Another major option is Guglielmo Marconi International Airport near Bologna, approximately 75 kilometers away. From both airports, travelers can reach Ravenna easily using a combination of shuttle services and trains.

Among the city’s highlights is the Basilica of San Vitale, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture from the 6th century. Just nearby stands the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, famous for its deep blue star-filled mosaics. Though modest in size, it offers one of the most evocative interiors in Ravenna.

Another essential site is the Neonian Baptistery, the oldest surviving monument in the city. Additional notable attractions include the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, the Archiepiscopal Museum of Ravenna, and the Ravenna Cathedral.

Ravenna is also closely linked to Dante Alighieri. Visitors can see the Tomb of Dante, located near the Basilica of San Francesco, where Dante’s funeral was held in 1321.

The civic heart of the city is Piazza del Popolo, surrounded by historic palaces and Venetian-era columns. From here, visitors can easily reach museums, churches, and cafés that reflect Ravenna’s layered history.