Basilica of San Vitale (Basilica di San Vitale) Tours
13 Reviews
In 402 AD, during the latter days of the Western Roman Empire, Ravenna was made its capital, so it is fitting that this lovely city has some of the most important religious sights dating from the early days of Christianity. Now UNESCO-listed with all the other glorious mosaic showstoppers in the city, the Basilica of San Vitale (Basilica di San Vitale) dates from the mid sixth century; work started on it in 526 at the behest of Ecclesius, Bishop of Ravenna, and it was consecrated in 547. However, the Byzantines conquered Rome in 540 and took over the construction of the octagonal marble basilica. The resulting internal decoration is believed to be the finest example of Byzantine art in the world, executed by unknown master craftsmen over many years and liberally coating the interior with bejeweled mosaics. Detailed Biblical scenes contrast with depictions of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, ornamented with stylized patterns in green, red and gold, while the cupola is adorned with Baroque frescoes added in 1780 by artists from across northern Italy.
Practical Info
Via San Vitale 17, Ravenna. Open daily Nov–Mar 9am–5.30pm; Apr–Oct 9am–7pm. Admission adults €9.50; all concessions €8.50; children under 10 go free. Ticket price includes entry to the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, the Neonian Baptistery and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
plus the Archiepiscopal Museum and Chapel. Take Bus Line 1 to Piazza Baracca.
Address: Via San Vitale 17, Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna 48110, Italy
Hours: Daily Nov–Mar 9am–5.30pm; Apr–Oct 9am–7pm
Admission: Adults: €9.50; all concessions: €8.50; Children under 10: free
28 Tours and Activities to Experience Basilica of San Vitale (Basilica di San Vitale)
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Ravenna Mosaics & Highlights Small Group Tour with a Local Guide
Take a tour of Ravenna, known as the “city of mosaics” for the colorful tile artwork adorning many of its central buildings—some of which is more than 1,500 years old. The tour begins at Piazza del Popolo, the main square in the center of the city, and continues on to the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia. You’ll also see Dante’s tomb, the Baptistry of Neon, and more.
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From
$95.85
From
$95.85
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Private Guided Tour with Native guide of Top Sites & Ancient Mosaics of Ravenna
As the capital city of the region of the same name in Emilia-Romagna, Northern Italy, Ravenna is well known for its colorful mosaics, stunning basilica churches and remarkable chapels. Join us on this private tour led by a local expert and English-speaking professional guide to experience the wonder of the awe-inspiring city.
Total duration: 3 hours
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From
$156.52
Price varies by group size
From
$156.52
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Ravenna Tour of Must-See Sites and Attractions with Native Top-Rated Guide
Take in the highlights of Ravenna in just hours without the hassle of following a map and guidebook with this walking tour through the historic center. Admire the UNESCO-listed Byzantine mosaics in the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare, Basilica of San Vitale, and Mausoleum of Galla Placidia; stop at Dante’s tomb; and stroll through the city’s lanes to sample local specialties like piadina flatbread and traditional cheeses.
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From
$83.72
From
$83.72
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Ravenna and its treasures - Half-Day Walking Tour
You will be amazed by the stunning mosaics. Ravenna is a treasure trove which unveils eight UNESCO World Heritage monuments. You will appreciate the Ravennate atmosphere and feel to be part of the history. Visit of the byzantine Basilica of San Vitale, the roman Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo built by the king Theodoric, the Tomb of the major Italian poet Dante Alighieri. You will have the chance to step into a mosaic workshop, have a coffee break in a peaceful café and see the flooded crypt of the Church of Saint Francis. All with a local passionate and experienced tour guide.
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From
$176.42
per group
From
$176.42
per group
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
From Rome to Byzantium: Walk in Dante Alighieri's footsteps on an audio tour
Take a wander through the last capital of the Western Roman Empire, the capital of the kingdom of the Goths and the Byzantine exarchate. On this self-guided audio tour, you'll also get a taste of the power of the great republic of Venice as well as the 19th century Italian Risorgimento, all the while accompanied by some of the most famous mosaics in the world in the presence of many UNESCO heritage sites.
The tour starts in ancient Rome, with the mausoleum of Galla Placidia and then takes you after the fall to the Basilica of San Vitale. We then head through the middle ages to the 19th century, as we move to Piazza del Popolo. Afterwards, we head back to the time of the Gothic domination with the Baptistry of the Ariana before going to see an elaborate cover-up operation in the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuova. Finally, we pay a visit to the mortal remains of the great poet Dante Alighieri, father of the Italian language.
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From
$5.33
From
$5.33
Ravenna Private Guided Tour of Top Sites Ancient Mosaics & Piadina Tasting
On this half-day, private walking tour of Ravenna, you’ll enjoy a tailor-made introduction to the stunning, seaside Italian city. Get a peek at Byzantine-era mosaics in the basilicas of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo and San Vitale, pay your respects to the famed poet at Dante’s tomb, and enjoy a complimentary food and wine tasting of regional products.
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From
$144.39
Price varies by group size
From
$144.39
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Ravenna 3-Hour Private Walking Tour
Explore Ravenna's UNESCO World Heritage sites, dating from the Byzantine and Roman empires, on this private walking tour. With a dedicated guide, you'll enjoy personalized attention and a flexible itinerary. Entrance tickets to all sites included.
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From
$185.04
Price varies by group size
From
$185.04
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Ravenna: private full-day tour with mosaics admission
Spend a full day getting to know the remarkable town of Ravenna. With five stunning Mosaic sights and an astounding 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Ravenna is a delight for the senses. Learn about the city’s Byzantine architecture from your guide as you explore historically significant landmarks. Break for lunch (own expense), and free time to explore and then reconvene in the afternoon. All museum admission fees are included with the tour.
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From
$248.74
Price varies by group size
From
$248.74
Price varies by group size
Ravenna and its Enchanting Mosaics Full-day Tour
Marvel at the incomparable mosaics of Ravenna with this full-day tour. See some of the finest Byzantine mosaics anywhere, as well as early Christian mosaics. Learn about this timeless art from a knowledgeable guide.
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From
$254.80
per group
From
$254.80
per group
Ravenna and its Mosaics Private Tour with Piadina Tasting
Admire the best of Ravenna’s famous mosaics with a top-rated guide on this private walking tour. Home to eight different UNESCO World Heritage sites, Ravenna has so many treasures to see, it can be hard to know where to start. Learn the stories and symbolism behind the dazzling Byzantine and Roman mosaics that decorate churches and mausoleums, and see the tomb of celebrated poet Dante. Finish with a tasting of a ‘piadina,’ a savory flatbread and favorite street food specialty.
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From
$175.94
Price varies by group size
From
$175.94
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Mosaics Guided Tour and Cooking Lesson at a Restaurant
See sparkling Byzantine mosaics before learning some secrets of Italian cooking with this mosaics tour and cooking class in Ravenna. Join a knowledgeable guide for a visit to two Ravenna monuments with UNESCO-recognized mosaics. Experience a lesson in cooking some local specialties, including a flatbread called 'piadina.'
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From
$120.12
From
$120.12
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Ravenna Mosaics and Art - Half day private guided tour
Discover the most iconic ancient mosaics in the stunning, seaside city of Ravenna during this half-day walking tour. Highlights include mosaics commissioned by the Emperor Justinian of Byzantium, the tomb of the Italian writer and poet Dante, and the private chapel of the Ostrogoths King Theoderic. Choose from all-day departure timings; admission tickets are purchased separately.
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From
$133.47
per group
From
$133.47
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Full Day Ravenna Private Tour of Must-See Sites with Native Top-Rated Guide
This is a 5 hours private walking tour that includes all the major monuments and attractions of Ravenna, our professional tour guide will lead you to discover all the beauties of this charming town. Since this is a private tour, we encourage our clients to share their interests and desires in order to personalize the itinerary as much as possible. Being a walking tour will be sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothes.
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From
$217.13
Price varies by group size
From
$217.13
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Ravenna walking tour: stunning byzantine mosaics (Unesco)
The guided tour of Ravenna will start from the church of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo of the VI century realized by the Theodoric King of Arian religion. The second stage will be the Dante area also called the "zone of silence" dedicated to the cult and memory of Dante Alighieri. The tour continues towards the Neonian Baptistery. After the baptistery it will be the turn of Palazzo Rasponi from the heads of the Ravenna family of "Rasponi".
The tour concludes with the wonderful Basilica of San Vitale of the 6th century, testimony of the Roman-Byzantine empire reunified after the Aryan period. With an octagonal central plan, the church still preserves the splendid scenes of the Old Testament and the famous panels of the imperial couple Justinian and Theodora of the Eastern Roman Empire. Next to the Basilica of San Vitale we will visit the Mausoleum of the Roman Empress Galla Placidia of the 5th century, rich in unique mosaic decorations.
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From
$239.03
per group
From
$239.03
per group
Ravenna Food Tour with Wine Tasting and Guided Sightseeing of Top Attractions
Treat yourself to the historical attractions and tasty sensations of Ravenna on a 3-hour walking tour. Culinary highlights include piadina with prosciutto, cappelletti and tagliatelle pasta, Teodora's cake, and so much more. Wash everything down with regional wines, such as white Trebbiano and red Sangiovese. The tour also takes you to the city's most important historical landmarks, including the Mausoleum of Theodoric and Basilica of Sant'Apollinare.
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From
$144.39
From
$144.39
Ravenna, the most beautiful mosaics in the city of Paradise
The guides of Il Papavero are able to adapt the tour to every need and type of clientele, always creating a pleasant atmosphere and without weighing down the historical-artistic explanations. The skills and sympathy come together to create an unforgettable tour ... in the folds of the Paradise of Dante's memory.
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From
$176.42
per group
From
$176.42
per group
A walk through Ravenna brings the East
Unique experience with an exceptional guide capable of transmitting his passion for his city. You will have a glimpse of life lived in history
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From
$182.00
From
$182.00
A full-day in Ravenna
Come to Ravenna! If you have never been in Ravenna, I suggest a full-day guided tour for a complete visit of this beautiful town! My town!
6 hours tour and lunch break which includes UNESCO monuments situated in the city centre. A walking tour in the magic atmosphere of Ravenna, mosaic of art and culture that cherishes ancient World Heritage Treasures.
Ravenna is a friendly and hospitable city close to the sea and also to natural landscapes.
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From
$280.99
per group
From
$280.99
per group
Full Day Ravenna & Bologna Tour of Must-See Sites with Native Top-Rated Guide
Take a journey in this culturally rich, deeply historic and well-preserved towns, with our exclusive walking tour for a unique and unforgettable experience. You will see the highlights of Ravenna, with its mosaics, and Bologna just in one day with a top rated & local guide.
The tour will start in Ravenna where you will spend about 3 hours, then you will travel by train or your own car to Bologna where the guide will led another 3 hours tour.
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From
$249.06
Price varies by group size
From
$249.06
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Ravenna in half a day
You can visit Ravenna even in half a day: this will be enough to know its culture and history and to realize how this town is rich in architecture and art by the knowledge of the different religions that during the past strongly influenced all the mosaics decorations and its buildings.
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From
$166.05
per group
From
$166.05
per group
Best of RAVENNA on a Private Tour
Have you ever wondered how a mosaic is made?
Thanks to this tour you will discover any details.
I will lead you through the wonder of the stunning early Christian monuments of Ravenna (inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1996), telling you about the characters depicted, the symbols, and the religious politics behind them.
I'll let you discover and delve into the unexpected atmosphere. The radiance and colours of the ancient mosaics will allow you to feel how worshippers felt centuries ago.
During the tour we'll have the chance to learn more about the techniques and the materials they are made of.
*Monuments admission fees are NOT included.
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From
$151.67
per group
From
$151.67
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Ravenna: Byzantine Mosaics & food tasting tour
We provide tours with the best local certified guides, our guides had to pass a severe exam abouth the history of the city to obtain this grade level. The experience we provide is unique and will make the difference for bringing back a great memory of this amazing city. We can arrange the tour in Italian, English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese and many other languages please ask us your needs.
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From
$121.33
Price varies by group size
From
$121.33
Price varies by group size
Ravenna Walking Tour
Discover Ravenna with this itinerary that in just three hours takes you to visit the most famous and significant monuments of the city and to admire the early Christian and Byzantine mosaics among the most famous and best preserved in the world!
This delightful city between the 5th and 8th centuries was the capital of the Western Roman Empire, then of the Kingdom of the Ostrogoths and finally of the Byzantine Exarchate, and traces of this past are gathered in the splendid early Christian buildings and in its eight UNESCO monuments .
But Ravenna is also the city that Dante Alighieri has chosen as the last refuge and which still preserves its memory and immortal remains.
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From
$135.37
Price varies by group size
From
$135.37
Price varies by group size
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Ravenna Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide
In the Emilia-Romagna region of Northern Italy, the city of Ravenna has sat for millenia. Once the capital city of the Western Roman Empire during the 5th century AD, it has long been celebrated for not only its history, but the striking culture left behind by the Ostrogoths of the Byzantine Exarchate circa 540 AD. Today, the city enjoys a significant place in the history books featuring a total of 8 various UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Spend the day in the company of a local expert and guide who will introduce you to the varied culture and history of this extraordinary city.
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From
$178.97
Price varies by group size
From
$178.97
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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