The best hikes from bus stations in Ravenna

Anyone visiting Ravenna often thinks first of the famous early Christian mosaics. This makes the Cathedral of the Resurrection all the more surprising, as it stands out clearly with its Baroque design. Built between 1734 and 1745, the cathedral stands on the foundations of the former 5th-century Ursiana Basilica. Even from the outside, the facade impresses with its three-arched portico and the 35-meter-high cylindrical bell tower. Inside, visitors are greeted by magnificent barrel vaults, an elliptical dome, and colorful marble decorations. Particularly worth seeing are the 6th-century ambo and the mysterious Madonna del Sudore. Admission is free, and there is usually a pleasantly quiet atmosphere. This allows you to experience Ravenna away from the large tourist crowds. For me, the cathedral is a wonderful place to get to know the lesser-known but equally fascinating side of the city.

The estuary can be easily crossed via the bridge.

Work is underway for the construction of the 2-story maritime station covering 5000 sqm with integrated offices for the Port Authority, State Police, Customs Agency, and Guardia di Finanza, connected to the electrically powered quays by a 250-meter elevated walkway, adjacent to the new Cruise Terminal capable of simultaneously hosting 2 ships, following the example of those already existing in Civitavecchia, Genoa, Naples, Savona, and Trieste.

It is the square overlooked by the Cathedral of Ravenna, the city's religious center since the early Christian era. The area took on its current configuration between the 18th and 19th centuries, when the spaces around the episcopal buildings were reorganized. In the center of the square stands the Column of the Virgin Mary, a devotional element erected as a sign of protection for the city. At the top is a statue of the Madonna, a religious and historical reference symbol for the community of Ravenna.

Ravenna is a city with one of the richest UNESCO heritages in Europe: it has 8 recognized sites, a very high number compared to many entire countries. For comparison, Norway has only 8 in total, and several European states have even fewer. The city is especially famous for its early Christian and Byzantine mosaics, preserved in monuments such as the Basilica of San Vitale and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia. It was the capital of the Western Roman Empire and then an important Byzantine center, a role that has left a unique artistic legacy. It is also linked to the figure of Dante Alighieri, who spent the last years of his life there and is buried in the city.

Dante's Tomb is located in the historic center of Ravenna, next to the Basilica of San Francesco. It is the monument that houses the remains of Dante Alighieri, transferred to Ravenna in 1321 after his death. The current tomb is a small neoclassical temple built in the 18th century by the architect Camillo Morigia. Outside, there is a simple commemorative area with a votive lamp fueled by oil donated every year by the city of Florence. The site is one of the main places linked to the memory of the poet of the Divine Comedy.

The two Venetian columns in Piazza del Popolo with their Renaissance bases by Pietro Lombardo are striking examples of Italian Renaissance sculpture and bas-relief, unfortunately in a poor state of conservation.

Expelled from Florence, Dante Alighieri thought of finding his final refuge in Ravenna, but his mortal remains changed location several times to avoid theft until December 1945. In addition to the danger of German bombings and the recurring rumors of Hitler's creation in Berlin of a mausoleum to collect the remains of illustrious figures, some workers dug a hole lined with reinforced concrete at the bottom of which the box containing the poet's bones was placed. However, the custodian Antonio Fusconi cunningly placed another identical one on top of it, containing sawdust or apparently common bones taken from an abandoned tomb, thus the bones of the supreme Poet remained safe for 2 years.