Ravenna is the city of Mosaics, first and foremost because of its eight UNESCO World Heritage monuments, created between the 5th and 6th centuries AD by incomparable artists and daring builders: the golden mosaics of the dome of the Basilica of San Vitale, even after almost 1,500 years of amazement, still shine in the eyes of every traveller, from Lord Byron to Gustav Klimt right up to the present day.
Ravenna is the city of Mosaics for the MAR Museum, with its ever-growing collection of modern mosaics that actually surpass the traditional technique, and for the Biennial of Contemporary Mosaics, the international exhibition that brings artists and schools of mosaic art from all over the world to the city.
As a matter of fact, in Ravenna mosaics are everywhere, not only in monuments and museums. They are on street signs, in parks, in flowerbeds, in shop windows and on walls, thanks to the onslaught of Invader, the international street artist. So too, Ravenna is the city of Mosaics also because it hosts dozens and dozens of workshops and craftsmen’s studios where every tourist can gaze in awe at the craftsmen at work, buy some of their creations and even perhaps put themselves to the test in a course on mosaics that will lead them to create their own handcrafted work: the best possible souvenir!
Capital of the Western Roman Empire, Ravenna preserves an extraordinary heritage of early Christian mosaics. Start your journey in the Basilica of San Vitale, a Byzantine treasure where splendid gilded mosaics depict Justinian and Theodora amidst solemn figures and exquisite details. Next door, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia catches the eye with its blue sky dotted with stars and luminous golden crosses set against an intense background. Continue to the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, with its solemn processions of saints and martyrs on a gold background accompanying visitors along the naves. After a lunch break in the historic centre, the Neonian Baptistery awaits, housing the mosaic dome with the scene of the baptism of Christ, amidst stylised waves and vibrant colours. Next, admire the Archbishop's Chapel, where the warrior Christ triumphs against a blue background in a weave of symbols and spirituality. Last stop, the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe: Round trip, it’s a 14-kilometre cycle path to reach this imposing and majestic building, with a façade 30 metres high and almost twice as long, where the saint appears immersed in a green landscape dotted with gold, in a mosaic celebrating the fusion of earth and sky.
Besides Byzantine masterpieces, Ravenna is a testing ground for contemporary mosaics. The tour starts at the MAR – Municipal Art Museum, which houses a unique collection of modern mosaic works of art. Here, artists of the calibre of Boetti, Cattelan and Schifano reinterpret the ancient technique in an innovative way, combining it with different materials and languages. If your visit coincides with the Biennial of Contemporary Mosaics, you can enjoy installations and works distributed throughout the city's museums and urban spaces. Strolling through the historic town centre, let yourself be wowed by urban mosaics and site-specific works, which converse with the ancient architecture in a fascinating visual contrast. Eyes upwards so as not to miss any of the works by Invader, the renowned international street artist. Also not to be missed is the Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra (House of the Carpets of Stone), where ancient mosaics meet an innovative museum display. To conclude the journey, there are dozens of craftsmen’s workshops, where artists and mosaicists reinterpret tradition with unique creations, keeping the mosaic soul of Ravenna alive.
And after the Byzantine city has made your love of mosaic art burst forth, why not explore Romagna from mosaic tile to mosaic tile? A journey that will take you through the traces of ancient Rome, among museums and domus, traversing landscapes rich in history and artistic wonders.
Leaving Ravenna, head north to Comacchio, a small beauty on the Po Delta that, in its museum, preserves the remains of ancient Spina, a port city that flourished between the 6th and 2nd centuries B.C., where the mosaics found tell stories of trade and daily life. Then head down to Russi, where the Roman Villa reveals over 8,000 square metres of archaeological area: a fresco of mosaic tiles that takes you right to the heart of life in the first centuries AD
Head up the Apennines to reach Sarsina, where the Triumph of Dionysus is revealed in the mosaics that adorn the archaeological area, a reminder of a culture that celebrated feasting and wine. In Savignano sul Rubicone, the archaeological area of Compito tells stories of travel and trade, with mosaics decorating the rooms of an ancient villa. The centre of Rimini will welcome you with the extraordinary Domus del Chirurgo (the Surgeon’s house), a corner of Roman history that will take you back to a distant past. Finally, to conclude your journey through the mosaic art of Romagna, stop in Bellaria Igea-Marina, where the Noi Museum houses an impressive mosaic dedicated to Bacchus, symbol of the divine and the beauty of wine.