WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE RAVENNA HISTORIC CENTER TOUR – APPROX. 3 HOURS

About this wheelchair accessible Ravenna Historic Center tour

Discover the charming Ravenna during this private, wheelchair accessible tour. Your tour starts at Piazza Anita Garibaldi, where your private tour guide waits for you to go on this explorational journey. Together, you walk/roll through the city center and explore its highlights, learn about history and art, and marvel at gorgeous mosaics.

Saint Vitale Basilica

The first stop on your tour is the Basilica of San Vitale, or Saint Vitale Basilica. This grand building has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 1996 and attracts attention with its uncommon architecture. In addition, it is one of the most important monuments of Byzantine art in Europe.

On this tour, you discover the Basilica’s extraordinary mosaics created between 546 and 548. These artworks are among the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine imagery and are especially valuable since many similar works were destroyed. Ravenna preserved these images partly because it opposed iconoclasm and was no longer under Byzantine control during later invasions.

Accessibility note: the basilica is wheelchair accessible via the through the Galla Placidia garden, which features cobblestone pathways and wooden ramps.

Galla Placidia Mausoleum

Just a minute away from the Basilica, you find the Galla Placidia Mausoleum. This historical building features ramps to make it wheelchair accessible.

From the outside, it may seem rather modest, but once inside, you are surrounded by deep blue shimmering mosaics. Despite its small size, this monument leaves a lasting impression thanks to its intimate and almost magical atmosphere.

Dante’s Tomb

Next, you continue your tour through the Zona del Silenzio (Silence zone), passing several locations linked to Dante Alighieri. During this stroll towards Dante’s tomb, your guide tells you more about the poet’s life. At the tomb, you can take a quiet moment to reflect on the legacy of the author of the Divine Comedy, one of Italy’s most celebrated literary works.

Accessibility note: to enter the small tomb building, if open, visitors must climb four steps. However, you can still admire the structure and catch a glimpse of the interior from outside.

Piazza del Popolo

From here, your route leads you to Piazza del Popolo, the lively heart of Ravenna. Surrounded by elegant historic buildings, this square has been the center of Ravenna for centuries. It’s the perfect place to soak in the local atmosphere.

Historical City Center

As you continue through Ravenna’s historical city center, you pass charming streets, hidden corners, and additional monuments that reflect the city’s rich past. Along the way, your guide brings history to life with engaging stories and facts, connecting the different eras that shaped Ravenna into what it is today.

Optional: Mosaic Workshop

If you can’t get enough of the wondrous mosaics throughout Ravenna, your guide can take you to a mosaic workshop, where you can learn more about the materials and techniques used to make the impressive works of art. Here, you gain a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship behind Ravenna’s famous mosaics and see how this ancient tradition continues to thrive today. Please let us know if you wish to add this experience to your tour!