All Monuments in Emilia-Romagna

Buy tickets & tours:GetYourGuide The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia is one of the most extraordinary early Christian monuments in Ravenna, renowned worldwide for its exceptionally preserved 5th-century mosaics. Located in Via Galla Placidia, in the northern area of Ravenna’s historic center, this compact brick building conceals an interior of astonishing artistic richness. Despite its modest exterior appearance, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia is considered one of the finest surviving examples of early Christian mosaic art and architecture in the Mediterranean world. Dating to the first half of the 5th century, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia belongs to a crucial historical period when Ravenna served as the capital of the Western Roman Empire. Its decoration reflects the transition from classical Roman artistic traditions to a new Christian visual language, combining symbolic imagery, theological meaning, and refined craftsmanship. For this reason, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna”, a designation that recognizes its universal cultural value. Although traditionally associated with Galla Placidia, one of the most influential women of late antiquity, the monument’s function, symbolism, and artistic program extend beyond its funerary reputation. Today, the mausoleum stands as a key stop Read more [...]

Buy tickets & tours:VivaTicket The Tomb of Dante in Ravenna is the Neoclassical mausoleum that houses the mortal remains of Dante Alighieri (1265-1321), one of the most influential poets in world literature and author of The Divine Comedy. Built in 1780-1781 next to the Basilica of San Francesco, this national monument stands at the heart of Ravenna’s historic center, forming part of a larger memorial area dedicated to Dante’s life and work. The burial site sits within a quiet, pedestrianized area known as the “Zone of Silence” (zona dantesca), where visitors are encouraged to observe silence and respect, reflecting the solemn legacy of the Supreme Poet. Although Dante was born in Florence, he died in exile in Ravenna on September 13-14, 1321, and was buried there the day after his death. Over the centuries, numerous efforts were made to relocate his remains to his native city, but they never succeeded. Today, the Tomb of Dante remains in Ravenna as a powerful symbol of literary history and cultural memory, drawing visitors from around the world.     Short History of the Tomb of Dante Dante Alighieri spent the last years of his life in Ravenna under the patronage of Guido Novello Read more [...]

Arco di Augusto (Arch of Augustus) is a Roman triumphal arch in Rimini, located in the southern part of the historical center of the city. The Arch of Augustus is the best-preserved Roman arch in the world. Together with the Bridge of Tiberius, the arch is one of the symbols of Rimini, and both monuments appear on the coat of arms of the city.   SHORT HISTORY OF ARCO DI AUGUSTO Arco di Augusto was built in 27 BC, by decree of the Roman Senate, in order to honor Emperor Augustus for having restored Via Flaminia, Via Emilia and Via Popilia. In fact, the arch marked the end of Via Flaminia, which connected Rimini to Rome, the capital of the Empire. Back then, Via Flaminia was continued by the decumanus maximus (east-west-oriented Roman road), today’s Corso d’Augusto, which led to the entrance to the ancient Via Emilia. Arco di Augusto remained the main gate of the city, flanked by modest buildings, until the Fascist period. Between 1936 and 1938, at the behest of Benito Mussolini, it was isolated by demolishing the adjacent buildings.   ART AND ARCHITECTURE OF THE ARCH OF AUGUSTUS The arch was built in travertine from Nabresina, Read more [...]

Ponte di Tiberio (Bridge of Tiberius), also known as the Bridge of Augustus, is a Roman bridge in Rimini, located in the northern part of the historical center of the city.   SHORT HISTORY OF PONTE DI TIBERIO The construction of the Tiberius Bridge was started in 14 AD under the government of Emperor Augustus, and was completed in 21 AD under Emperor Tiberius. It served as a bridge over the Marecchia River, before the course of the river was diverted. The bridge is a national monument since 1885, and it appears on the coat of arms of Rimini. Until recently, the bridge was part of the city road network and was open to normal traffic, excluding heavy vehicles. The definitive pedestrianization of the bridge began on an experimental basis on May 30, 2020.   ARCHITECTURE OF THE BRIDGE OF TIBERIUS The Bridge of Tiberius was built in Istrian stone, in a sober, but, at the same time, harmonious style. The bridge is paved with trachyte stones, has a width of 4.80 meters and a length of 74 meters. It is flanked by sidewalks about 30 centimeters high and about 60 centimeters wide. The structure is made up of five Read more [...]

Porta Galliera is an imposing medieval gate in Bologna, located in Piazza XX Settembre, in the northern part of the historical center of the city. Porta Galliera is the most decorated of all the remaining gates of Bologna.   SHORT HISTORY Porta Galliera was built at the beginning of the 13th century, when the third wall of the city was raised. With a length of about 7.6 kilometers and a polygonal shape, the outer wall of Bologna had 12 gates equipped with a drawbridge, to cross the external moat. The gate was rebuilt in the 14th century, in conjunction with the works for the construction of the nearby Galliera Castle (Castello di Galliera), erected between 1330 and 1333 by Cardinal Bertrando del Poggetto for the Pope John XXII. The fortress was however destroyed in 1334 by the Bolognese population rebelling against the Papal State. In the 17th century, the gate was subject to several renovations, and between 1661 and 1663, due to the poor state of the original foundations, it was completely rebuilt based on a design by Bartolomeo Provaglia. Porta Galliera witnessed the final event of the insurrection of August 8, 1848. Through the gate, the last left open Read more [...]