Private Walk, Mosaic Workshop

Private Walk, Mosaic Workshop, 24 hours, rated 5 across 2 traveller reviews.

Overview

This walk pairs Ravenna's Byzantine monuments with a look at how its mosaics are actually made. Silvia Giogoli, a Ravenna native who studied at the city's Academy of Fine Art, guides a private route past four UNESCO-listed buildings, including a stop at a mosaic workshop. The tour is listed with a duration of 24 hours, though the experience itself is a walking tour through the pedestrian centre rather than an overnight activity; check the live booking page for the schedule on your date.

The route starts at the Basilica of San Vitale, where the mosaics survive in remarkably good condition, then moves to the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in its garden setting. From there the group crosses the city west to east on foot, passing the art nouveau covered market, Piazza del Popolo and the Dante District, before reaching the Neonian Baptistery. A mosaic workshop stop explains the technique behind the art, and the walk ends at the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, which holds archaeological remains from the period of Theoderic, King of the Ostrogoths.

It suits travellers who want history and craft explained by a local specialist rather than a generic city tour. The pace is described as leisurely, and commentary is available in English, Italian or French.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at San VitaleMeet Silvia at the Basilica di San Vitale. She wears a license badge.
2. Basilica of San VitaleSee the well preserved mosaics inside the basilica, the tour's first UNESCO building.
3. Mausoleum of Galla PlacidiaVisit the mausoleum, set in a monumental complex surrounded by a garden.
4. Walk across the centreStroll west to east through the pedestrian area, seeing the art nouveau covered market, Piazza del Popolo and the Dante District.
5. Neonian BaptisteryAdmire the baptistery's mosaics, an example of early Christian architecture.
6. Mosaic workshopLearn about the tradition and technique of mosaic-making at a workshop.
7. Basilica of Sant'Apollinare NuovoFinish at the basilica, which shows archaeological remains from the time of Theoderic.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points worth knowing before you book this walk.

• Entry fees. Entrance tickets are not included in the tour price. The listing states fees of 12.50 EUR per adult, or 2 EUR per child under 10, payable separately.
• Meeting point. There is no pickup or hotel meeting for this tour. Meet the guide at the Basilica di San Vitale and look for her license badge.
• Footwear. The listing recommends comfortable shoes. The route crosses the city from west to east on foot, mostly through the pedestrian area.
• Photography. Selfie sticks and flash photography are not allowed. Leave both behind if you plan to take photos during the tour.
• Weather. The tour runs rain or shine, so bring whatever the forecast demands. There is no stated indoor alternative to the walking sections.
• Languages. Guiding is offered in English, Italian and French. Pick the language that suits you when booking.

Common issues. The main extra cost is entry fees, which are not covered by the tour price. No pickup is offered, so travellers must make their own way to the Basilica di San Vitale. The tour goes ahead in rain or shine, and selfie sticks and flash photography are barred inside the monuments. The listing's stated duration of 24 hours does not match a typical walking tour, so confirm timing on the booking page.

Common Questions