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Type: Antiquities, Arts, Culture, Walking
Length: 8 Hours
Walking: Medium
Mobility: Folding wheelchair OK, some sites may be inaccessible (advance notice required)
Guide: Licensed Guide
Language: English
Ravenna Shore Excursion - This excursion includes visits some of Ravenna's 5th and 6th century churches which are well known for their mosaics. After free time for lunch, you visit nearby Faenza, which is famous for it's ceramics.
After meeting your private guide at the pier, you immediately drive to the beautiful city center of Ravenna which was built almost 2500 years ago. Ravenna has been a capital on three occasions; capital of the Western Roman Empire, capital of the Ostrogothic Kingdom and capital of the Byzantine Kingdom. These various cultural influences over its long history has left its mark on the city and the result in the character you will experience on this tour.
Your tour will start in the pedestrian zone of Ravenna where the city's eight UNESCO monuments are located. Among them you will see the Basilica of San Vitale which is a great example of architectural innovation due to its octagonal plan. You will marvel at the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia which is entirely covered with beautiful mosaics. You also see the medieval Church of Saint Francis with its waterlogged crypt and the place where the poet Dante was buried when he died in Ravenna. Another of the cities treasures is the Basilica of Sant Apollinare Nuovo which was built for pagan observances but was converted to a Christian basilica when the emperor made Christianity the official religion.
In addition to exploring some of these famous early Christian sites you will also enjoy an overall orientation of the city as you walk through medieval streets filled with small shops and picturesque locations.
After visiting Ravenna you will drive to Faenza where you will have free time for lunch (meal not included). The Emilia region is famous for some of Italy's most important dishes including: ragu, tagliatelle, Bolognese, tortellini and Lasagna which all originated in this region. Your guide will be happy to suggest some restaurants.
After lunch your guide will introduce you to the city of Faenza which was established in the 2nd century along the Roman road called Via Emilia which connected Ravenna with Tuscany. Faenza owes its fame to the abundance of clay found nearby which helped it develop into a ceramics center. As early as the 14th century it was famous throughout Europe for its tin-glazed earthenware.
The heart of Faenza is the scenic ensemble of two squares, Piazza della Liberta and Piazza del Popolo, that seem more like a single square with two tiers of porticoes on both sides. The most beautiful buildings, both of medieval origin are the Governor's palace and the Town Hall (the former Manfredi Palace). Along the east side of the square is the noteworthy Cathedral which was completed in 1511 in the Renaissance style which is so typical in Tuscany.
However, the highlight of Faenza is the International Museum of Ceramics, founded in 1908 and housed in a former convent. It hosts the greatest collection of ceramics in the world. The exhibits feature examples of Greek, Etruscan and Roman ceramics, Renaissance majolica, exotic pottery from Africa, the Far East and Pre-Columbian America. A section is devoted to modern ceramic art with fine pieces by Matisse, Chagall and Picasso, and to contemporary Italian collections.
At the end of your tour your driver will bring you back to the pier in Ravenna.
If you cannot find what you are looking for, our Ravenna tours and Ravenna Shore Excursions can also be customized to fit your needs. If you have a larger group, we can offer you a private Ravenna tour using a mid-size bus or full size coach. Please contact us with any questions or to receive a customized quote.
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Shore Trip Timing is approximate based on your interests & traffic
- Drive to Ravenna city center - 15 Minutes
- Ravenna tour - 3.5 Hours
- Drive to Faenza - 30 Minutes
- Free time for Lunch - 1 Hour
- Faenza tour - 2 Hours
- Return to pier- 45 Minutes
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