Ravenna: From Rome to Byzantium and beyond

(109 reviews)

Ravenna audio tour: Ravenna: From Rome to Byzantium and beyond

This is a 1.1mi walking tour

It takes an average of 120 mins to complete.

Ravenna

Italy

$11.99

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About the Tour

Discover one of Italy's lesser-known yet no less fascinating cities, Ravenna on this walking tour. In its long history, it has been a capital three times and was the last capital of the Western Roman Empire. On this journey from late antiquity through the middle ages to the Italian Renaissance, you'll take in Gothic, Byzantine, and Venetian architecture, some of the most beautiful and well-known mosaics in the world, and the final resting place of Dante Alighieri, the writer of the Divine Comedy.

We'll follow in Dante's footsteps to uncover what Ravenna really has to offer. Along the way, you'll have the opportunity of visiting the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Sant’Apollinare Nuova, and the Basilica of San Vitale. On this tour, you can look forward to:

Taking in the city's many UNESCO world heritage sites
Hearing about Giuliano Argentario, the James Bond of antiquity
Getting acquainted with Camillo Benso, one of the founding fathers of Italy
Finding out what it takes to get a statue of yourself placed in the people's square
Learning about the many Italian poets and writers that called the city home

Ravenna is a city of contrasts, where east meets west. Join me on this tour to delve deeper into the city that's at the heart of some of history's great events, both physically and intellectually.

Please note: this tour doesn't include or cover the cost of entrance into the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Sant’Apollinare Nuova, and the Basilica of San Vitale.

Tour Producer

A History of Italy Podcast

28 tours

A History of Italy is a weekly podcast in 15/20 minute episodes on the history of the Italian peninsula from the fall of the Western Roman Empire to the present day.

There are plenty of dates, battles and rulers of course, but also a fair share of rabbits winning sieges, swords stuck in uncomfortable places, murder mysteries, naughty popes, monks getting undressed and all other sorts of mischief in the history of the colourful Italians.

It is the author's passion for that history and the fact he lives in Italy that has lead him to explore a country that has more UNESCO world heritage sites than any other in the world and has recently added the national cuisine as well.

The author, Mike Corradi is an Anglo-Italian English teacher living in northern Italy with a passion for travel and history. He has been workinh with VoiceMap since 2019 on more than 20 tours from the most iconic sites of Venice and Rome to the lesser known corners of the two as well as many other hidden gems of the Italian provinces for those who want a more unique and off the beaten track Italian experience.

Preview Location

Location 10

In the Piazza del popolo

You've now reached the Piazza del Popolo. Let's stop here for a moment.

Have a look at the two columns with statues at the top.

The closest to you is our good friend from the start of the tour, San Vitale. So if you do get buried alive you may get a statue on a column, ... Read More

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Major Landmarks

Mausoleo di Galla Placidia
Basilica of San Vitale
Church of Saint Dominic
Piazza Luigi Einaudi
Teatro Comunale Alighieri
Battistero degli Ariani
Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo
Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi
Dante's Tomb
Basilica of Saint Francis

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Getting There

Route Overview

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a set starting point. It’s how we give turn-by-turn directions and tell a story greater than the sum of its parts.

Start location
Via San Vitale, 17, 48121 Ravenna RA, Italy
Total distance

2km
Final location
Piazza S. Francesco, 3, 48121 Ravenna RA, Italy
Distance back to start location

650.11m

Directions to Starting Point

The starting point is the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia. It is very close to a convenient car park, "Parcheggio San Vitale". Parking costs 3 euros for the whole day and you can come and go. It is free on Sunday.

The starting point is a twenty minute walk from the train station.

The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia is in the gardens of the San Vitale complex in the top-right corner from the entrance arch.

You can get tickets close by in Via Giuliano Argentario 22

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Basilica of San Vitale, Church of San Domenico, Piazza del popolo, Basilica of Sant Apollinare Nuova, Dante's Tomb.

Best time of day

Avoid the central hours of the day, from 11:00 to 15:00 during the hot summer months. If you are visiting on a Sunday, many churches may not be accessible to due services between 10:30 and 12:00

Precautions

If you are visiting between June and August, it can be very hot and humid. If possible avoid the hours between 11:00 and 14:00 and bring plenty of water with you.

If you are visiting on Sunday morning, some churches may be closed for Mass between 10:30 and 12:00

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“This app has become my go-to app for audio tours. I pretty much use it for every trip and it works wonderfully. I highly recommend VoiceMap for travelers to truly experience cities.”

App Store Review

“Great app. walk around at your own pace, stop where you want, move on or speed up when you want. Read the script before you go or during the commentary, speed it up or replay it. Repeat the tour whenever you like.”