The UNESCO World Cultural Heritage-listed Church of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo has some of the most impressive and interesting Late Antiquity and Byzantine mosaics in Ravenna, Italy. The Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo is one of the top sights to see when visiting Ravenna near Venice and Bologna. Ravenna has eight UNESCO World Cultural Heritage-listed sites of major … Read more
The Basilica of San Vitale is a highlight of any visit to see the Byzantine wall mosaics in Ravenna, a town popular with day trippers from Venice and Bologna. San Vitale in Ravenna has the largest Byzantine mosaics outside Istanbul and is the best example of Justinian church architecture in existence. The Basilica of San … Read more
The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia has the oldest Christian mosaics in Ravenna and is a top sight for day trippers and passengers on shore excursions from Venice. Galla Placidia’s mausoleum behind the Basilica di San Vitale has the oldest and among the most impressive mosaics in Ravenna. The building itself is small and unassuming, but … Read more
The tomb of Ostrogoth King Theodoric in Ravenna is a unique construction in a town famous for its early Christian monuments and Byzantine mosaics. The Mausoleum of Theodoric is one of eight sites in Ravenna inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list. In contrast to the other early Christian monuments, which are rightly famous … Read more
Visit the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare (St Apollinaris) in Classe, a large, UNESCO-listed Byzantine church near Ravenna, to see the 6th-century apse mosaics and splendid architecture. The Basilica di Sant’Apollinare in Classe is one of the best-preserved churches from antiquity. The architecture is beautiful, but the magnificent Byzantine mosaics in the apse make this church near … Read more
Visit the National Museum of Ravenna to see archaeological finds, art, ceramics, coins, and historical items. The National Museum of Ravenna (Museo Nazionale di Ravenna) displays an eclectic collection of archaeological finds, art, and other historical items from the region. Although the museum is interesting to visit, it does not have any particularly must-see displays. … Read more
Getting to Ravenna in Italy is easy by car or public transportation (very cheap local trains) for day trips from Bologna and Ferrara, or stopovers from Venice. Cheap accommodation makes sleeping over in Ravenna a good alternative to nearby cities and resorts. Ravenna is famous for its eight UNESCO World Cultural Heritage-listed sights with Byzantine … Read more
It is easy to visit Pompeii and Naples on a self-guided day trip by high-speed train from Rome but few would regret staying overnight in Naples and enjoy a less rushed visit. It is possible to visit the ancient ruins of Pompeii on a do-it-yourself day trip from Rome. The fastest way to travel from … Read more
Art treasures from the Pompeii and Herculaneum excavations, including the best mosaics and frescoes, and the giant Farnese sculptures from ancient Rome are the top highlights in the magnificent MANN National Archaeological Museum in Naples, Italy. The National Museum of Archaeology in Naples (Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli — MANN) is one of the world’s … Read more
The art in the Church of Santa Croce in Florence includes frescoes by Giotto and Taddeo Gaddi and the oft-visited tombs or funeral monuments for Michelangelo, Dante, Galileo, and others. The Basilica of Santa Croce is one of the great Gothic churches of central Florence. This large Franciscan church is full of art including magnificent … Read more