Ravenna Mosaic Tiles Guided Tour

About this activity

Smartphone tickets accepted
Duration: 3 hours
English
Immediate confirmation
FREE Cancellation
From
€33 €30
FREE Cancellation
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Experience Highlights

Immerse yourself in the artistic and religious richness of Ravenna with a 3-hour guided tour dedicated to its famous Byzantine mosaics. Walk through the historic centre accompanied by a certified guide in English, Italian, French or Spanish, and save queues thanks to your tickets already included. The meeting point is at the Tourist Office (Piazza S. Francesco, 7), and the tour ends at the Archbishop's Museum.

Discover UNESCO World Heritage gems such as the Basilica of San Vitale, the Mausoleum of Gala Placidia and the Battistero Neoniano, with detailed explanations of art, architecture and stories of illustrious figures such as Dante Alighieri.

  • Admire unique mosaics without waiting in line.
  • Choose your language: live guide or audio (radio) if the group is large.
  • See 26 scenes from the life of Christ inside the church.

What’s included

  • Expert guide
  • Entrance to the four monuments
  • Use of radio guidance if the group exceeds the optimum size

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Step by Step

Ravenna treasures some of the most impressive examples of early Christian art, and this 3-hour tour guarantees you won't miss any of them. You'll start at the Tourist Office, where your guide will give you an introduction to the historical and artistic context of the city, the birthplace of Byzantine mosaic in the West.

The first stop is the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, originally an Arian palatine church, where you will contemplate the monumental cycle of 26 scenes from the New Testament and see the technical evolution from the time of Theodoric to Justinian.

Next you will visit the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, erected in the mid-5th century. Its exterior simplicity contrasts with the spectacular starry mosaic inside, which inspired Dante's verses in the Divine Comedy.

The architectural jewel of the tour is the Basilica of San Vitale, with its octagonal plan and magnificent apse decorated with portraits of Giustiniano and Teodora. Your guide will explain the imperial symbolism and the technique of the tesserae.

Finally, you will enter the Battistero Neoniano, one of the oldest monuments in Ravenna. Under its dome you will see the scene of the Baptism of Christ, surrounded by apostles on a background of blue tesserae, and learn about the legacy of the Renaissance baptismal font. The tour concludes at the Archbishop's Museum, where you can extend your visit at your leisure.

Departure and Return

Other Things You Should Know

Cancellation Policy

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