A Visit to Ravenna
In fact, there are other things worth a visit, but the mosaics in The interior of the Basilica of San Vitale is somewhat dark and Upon gazing at the display at San Vitale, take a short walk out into the courtyard to the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia. But these two sights represent only a sampling of the incredible mosaics to be discovered in
There is direct train service into town from
west by a stretch of autostrada or otherwise by secondary roads from the north and south, including the
potentially treacherous two-lane highway known as the Romea.
pedestrian friendly with regard to most of the major sights to see. A day will typically be enough time to take
in the essential attractions. And what might those be, you ask? One word—mosaics.
The vibrant colors of the countless tiny tiles adorning the walls and ceilings of numerous buildings across
town and beyond must be seen in person to be fully appreciated. Photographs do not do justice to the works
of artisans dating back to the Byzantine era of the 6th Century A.D. providing representations and honoring
the movers and shakers of the time.
A list of main attractions would include a number of churches and a
few related structures. One could start by visiting the Basilica of San
Vitale—a good place to begin for those traveling by car considering
there is an adjacent parking lot where vehicles can be left for the
whole day for a small fee. Also, starting at San Vitale, on can
purchase a punch-card ticket providing admission into several of the
primary sights in town.
cavernous, that is until the main alter is located. Above the alter is a
domed ceiling containing and surrounded by exquisitely shimmering larger-than-life images of saints, animals, biblical figures, and, for good measure, the emperor Justinian and his wife Teodora accompanied by their respective courtly companions and staring across at each
other as they have done for centuries. Prepare to be awestruck and expect a sore neck from having to turn your eyes up again and again to appreciate the detail.
This small chapel-like structure is the final resting place of a royal dating back to the 5th Century A.D. The story of
her life reads like a soap opera, but in the end, she was duly memorialized with the construction of the structure
containing, not one, but three alcoves each with a sarcophagus. There is some uncertainty as to who might be
entombed in each massive bas-relief sarcophagus, but there can be little doubt that one can get a superlative
eyeful of the mosaics that decorate the coved ceilings. The images include animals and individuals, stars and
other symbols in all the colors one can imagine. It is a breath-taking sight.
many others to ogle throughout the core of the city in various churches and baptisteries. And if that is not enough,
then there is the basilica in the nearby town of
form.
other destinations in
Remembering the Agriturismo
There is a place where the chickens of the manor sit high in autumn's leafless branches like the plumed potentates of the garden. Perhaps they are just trying to get a view at what is happening through the windows of the second story. Maybe they would just rather not be chased around the premises by wave after wave of energetic children with 20 or 30 minutes of nothing better to do. The old black dog that wanders the yard would like to play, but at least is eager to show that his best trick is to gulp at pebbles tossed in the air. He'll even swallow them if given the chance. The steeply sloping pasture that tumbles down the hillside is home to a very noisy and understandably skittish gaggle of geese. They act as if they were truly paranoid of the occupants emerging from the cars that collect in the parking area come lunchtime. Indeed, it would not be surprising if this were the case considering the specialitá della casa.
