Mosaic by Night: Discovering the Arian Baptistery

Friday nights in Ravenna are a special time: the streets of the city center come alive, the shops remain open, and the city is filled with light, music, and people. In this festive atmosphere, there's an experience not to be missed for those who want to go beyond the surface and discover the most authentic soul of Ravenna.   With the “Mosaic by Night” tours, you can visit some of the city’s most iconic monuments – such as the Basilica of San Vitale and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia – when the influx of tourists is lower and the atmosphere more relaxed. It’s an opportunity to calmly enjoy the beauty of the mosaics, explore often overlooked details, listen to the guides' stories, and be amazed.   Depending on the evening, the different itineraries are also enriched with entry to other fascinating places such as the Domus of the Stone Carpets or the National Museum.   Choose your path, in either Italian or English, and enjoy your evening of art, history, and beauty, before taking a stroll under the stars or having a gelato in the streets of the city center.

“The site is of outstanding universal value being of remarkable significance by virtue of the supreme artistry of the mosaic art that the monuments contain, and also because of the crucial evidence that they provide of artistic and religious relationships and contacts at an important period of European cultural history.” Thus UNESCO justified the inclusion in the World Heritage List. Discover the timeless charm of Ravenna's mosaics with our guided tour "Mosaic Tesserae". This walking tour will take you on a fascinating journey through the city's artistic masterpieces, allowing you to closely admire the extraordinary beauty and complexity of the Byzantine mosaics that have made Ravenna famous worldwide. Why Participate: This walking tour is a unique opportunity to explore Ravenna's artistic heritage through the eyes of an expert guide who will share anecdotes and curiosities, making each visit an unforgettable experience. Whether you are an art enthusiast, a history student, or simply a curious traveler, "Mosaic Tesserae" is the perfect way to discover the artistic and cultural heart of Ravenna. Book now and get ready to be enchanted by the magic of Ravenna's mosaics!

An exclusive itinerary, narrated in your own language by an official guide, which will take you to visit the most famous monuments of Ravenna. Ancient origins and a glorious past, a heritage of unique works and mosaics in the world, which enclosed within the city walls, transformed Ravenna in the past centuries and today bear witness to the original splendor. Ravenna and the light of its mosaics, the city of 8 UNESCO monuments, that inspired great artists of all ages: Dante, Byron, Klimt and Montale, just to name a few of them... Ravenna is art, history, crossroads of peoples and culture. Ravenna, a masterpiece to discover with this exclusive tour.

On the occasion of the Notte d’Oro, Ravenna transforms into a magical scene, celebrating its stunning golden mosaics and rich cultural heritage that have made it famous worldwide. During this special night, you will have the unique opportunity to experience the city in a new way, thanks to our guided night tours, which will take you through some of the most fascinating monuments, illuminated by the evening lights.   The itineraries will allow you to explore Ravenna's true treasures. The english route includes the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, the Neonian Baptistery, and the magnificent Domus of the Stone Carpets. It’s a unique chance to immerse yourself in Ravenna’s art and history, enjoying its monuments in a completely different light.   Whether you’re an art lover or just looking for a special evening, the Notte d’Oro is the perfect opportunity to discover the wonders of the city.

By following the traces that marked its history, we will introduce you to a hidden Ravenna, off the beaten tourist track, discovering the glorious past that made it famous, through an itinerary in search of lost elements of which only a few traces remain.     This time journey will first lead us to the Arian Baptistery, one of the most important testimonies of the Arian-Hostrogothic cult in Ravenna (later condemned to heresy), where we can contemplate the mosaic decoration of the dome, which makes it one of the city's Unesco heritage sites. Here we will also admire the decorative and structural changes that the monument has undergone over the centuries.   Then, we will wander through the alleys of the historical centre, until we reach the gardens of San Vitale, through which we will access the ancient Benedictine monastery that now houses the National Museum, silent guardian of the city's history. The museum, established more than 100 years ago, has in fact been housing archaeological finds and collections of applied arts since 1885, collected with care, love and patience by citizens and learned monks from the great abbeys. Inside, the Chapel of St Clare, with its Giottesque frescoes, will be the perfect conclusion to this journey discovering the history of Ravenna.