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The Byzantine 'Jewels'
Roaming around in the open-air
Ravenna and its province offer a variety of different routes, from the wide plains with, in the upper part, winding roads running along canals and rivers with great banks and, in the lower part, straight roads running parallel to drainage canals, to the hilly country, where steep gradients abound. The routes generally follow secondary roads where the attractive natural environment is within easy reach and provides lots of opportunities to stop and amenities to make your journey even more relaxing and enjoyable.
History and Culture
Ravenna and its province hold a record on the international historical and cultural scenario in terms of number of artistic masterpieces. The Basilicas dating back to the 5th and 6th C. A.D. are among the oldest and best preserved in Christendom; they house a heritage of Byzantine mosaics unique in the world, to the point that the city is known as the Byzantium of the West.
Art city of ancient imperial splendour, since 1800 it has been a major stopping point for all those completing the international Grand Tour, together with Venice, Florence and Rome.
Nearby Faenza, with its Renaissance and Neo-classical roots was much influenced by Florence and is famous throughout the world for its ceramic or majolica ware, the origins of which date back to the Middle-Ages and which was developed during the Renaissance and the 18th century.
Also of great interest are the other towns of the province, from Cervia, the ancient salt city, to Lugo with its 18th-century buildings, Bagnacavallo and the hill villages of Brisighella, Casola Valsenio and Riolo Terme where strong traces of the middle-ages still remain.
Events
Every year, between April and September, the city of Ravenna celebrates Dante, the great Italian poet who is buried here; numerous exhibitions of works are dedicated to him in the Franciscan Cloisters by artists of international renown. From mid-June, for a month, the Ravenna Festival is staged. This is a prestigious international event consisting of concerts, opera music, ballet and exhibitions staged in some of the city's most outstanding buildings such as the Teatro Alighieri, the modern Palazzo Mauro de Andrè and the Ravenna Basilicas. At the end of July, the International Jazz Festival is held. In September, readings of the Divine Comedy are given in the Basilica of San Francesco. In summer, the historical 'Pavaglione' of Lugo hosts lots of major performances.
Bagnacavallo is the home of the picturesque Festival of San Michele offering art, music and gastronomic delights. At Faenza, in June, the Palio del Niballo is run. This is the historical re-evocation of the struggles between the five quarters of the town.
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Sea and Nature
An old representation of Ravenna shows the city with one foot on the land and another in the sea. The large alluvial plain created by the River Po and fast-flowing Apennine rivers are the distinguishing features of the coastal areas of Ravenna, which through the centuries has undergone constant change.
This area proved harder to drain than that of Ferrara and a different natural environment was created where farming activities took longer to develop.
Along the coast, the dune barrier created vast salt-water extensions called Piallasse, now home to many interesting plant and animal species.
The pinewood forests, planted on the coastal dunes – a sandy stretch about 50 kilometres long and which has receded six to ten kilometres since the Roman age – create, together with these stretches of water, natural landscapes of great beauty, which form part of the southernmost Po Delta Regional Park and were immortalised by Dante, Byron and D'Annunzio. Moving away from the coast, the Ravenna landscape changes from large extensions of treeless fields reclaimed from the sea, to the orchards and vineyards that stretch from the plain to the hills, where the vine reigns supreme, alongside oak woods.
Fragrances and flavours
Fish and seafood play the lead role along the coast, especially fish of the mackerel variety known as "humble" food but which when fried or grilled is absolutely delicious. Fruit-growing predominates in the countryside.
The towns in the hills all have their own specialities, oil, cheese, wine... Bread dough, with the addition of lard and cooked by hand, here becomes Piadina, to be eaten with dressed-pork and fresh cheeses. Traditional calls for Romagna pasta, rolled by hand, to be made from eggs and flour and enjoyed with meat sauce or lighter aromatic herb sauces. Cappelletti and Passatelli are types of pasta cooked in broth on holidays. A meat speciality of this area is mutton, with its strong fragrance, which is normally barbecued. A traditional dessert is known curiously as zuppa inglese.
Romagna starts where, when you say you are thirsty, they offer you a glass of wine. Red Sangiovese and white Trebbiano are the main varieties produced.
Open-air activities
The district is criss-crossed by trekking and cycling routes, including the long-distance trail (165 km long) known as the Gran Fondo del Sale, with departure and arrival at the Cervia salt-pans.
For those who like sailing, besides regular boat trips, at Marina di Ravenna in July, non-competitive boat races are staged as part of the Festivela event.
The beaches offer great opportunities to have fun playing frisbee, beach tennis and beach volley ... and making sand castles, as well as flying kites. And for those who prefer taking it easier, nothing better than the enjoyable encounter with the authors organised along the beach (e.g. Libri d'amare).
Sports activities are not lacking either, such as golf with numerous courses (Cervia, Riolo Terme) to choose from. And if you really feel like a bit of exercise, why not try the 100-km foot race from Florence to Faenza known as La 100 chilometri del Passatore, staged on the last Saturday-Sunday of May.
Click the itineraries above to discover the Province of Ravenna amidst art, culture and nature.
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