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RAVENNA
Ravenna is a city in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. This city has got a lot of history associated with it. The beaches of Ravenna are clean and offer the best of services. It has got the best nine seaside resorts: Casalborsetti, Marina Romea, Porto Corsini, Marina di Ravenna, Punta Marina Terme, Lido Adriano, Lido di Dante, Lido di Classe and Lido di Savio. These all offers quality services and maintain high standards. The city is laid with brick palaces and cobbled streets. The city is connected through a canal to the Adriatic Sea. Ravenna is also known as the city of mosaics.
The main attractions of this mosaic city include the following:
Mausoleum of Theodoric - It was built by Theodoric himself in 520 as his tomb. Its structure is made of Istria stone. It is divided in two decagonal orders one above the other. It is roofed with a single block of Istria stone of 10 meters diameter which weighs around 300 tons. A stair leads to the upper floor where there is a circular porphyry tub in which it is supposed that Theodoric was buried. His remains were removed during Byzantine rule.
National Museum - The National Museum houses some important collections of minor arts like the funeral steles and epigraphs, various archaeological fragments, a collection of textiles, an important collection of ivories, and a rich collection of icons, coins and medals section and a fascinating collection of ancient weapons. The 14th century cycle of frescoes of Santa Chiara can also be found here. There are also floor mosaics.
Church of San Vitale and Mausoleum of Galla Placidia - Both San Vitale and Galla Placidia are top monuments in Ravenna. The Basilica of San Vitale is a fine example of the early Christian art in Italy. The octogenal design of the Basilica is clearly inspired by Byzantine churches. The mosaics inside are of fine quality.
Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe - Sant'Apollinare in Classe is situated about 5 kilometers from the centre of Ravenna. It was built in the first half of 6th century. It was consecrated in 549 by the Archbishop Maximian and was dedicated to Sant'Apollinare, the first Bishop of Ravenna. The facade offers a portico under which there are marbles and inscriptions from the church. The door jambs and architraves of the main door are in Greek marble. Above the portico there is an elegant three-mullioned window.