Throughout history, Ravenna had
high importance.
First, it was the capital city of
the Western Roman Empire from 402 until the collapse in 476, then served as the
capital of the Ostrogothic Kingdom, then a lordship of the Byzantine Empire in
Italy after which it became the seat of the Kingdom of the Lombards.
Today Ravenna is the capital city
of the Province of Ravenna, Northern Italy and is connected to the Adriatic Sea
by the Candiano Canal.
All across Ravenna, you'll be
able to see some of the finest and best-preserved examples of late Roman and
Byzantine architecture, with eight buildings consisting the UNESCO World
Heritage Site, Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna.
We'll mention some of them such
as the Baptistery of Neon, the Basilica of San Vitale, adorned with mosaics,
and the Archbishop's Chapel, located on the first floor of the bishops' palace.
The more fun side of Ravenna is
reflected in various events held all around the year, with the most famous one
being the Ravenna Music Festival.