Romagna in the early Middle Ages: 72 hours amongst the Byzantines and Lombards

Ravenna is the very heart of Byzantine Romagna.

Must-sees

• The Basilica of San Vitale, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture and mosaic art in the West, renowned for its famous mosaics from the Justinian era.
• Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, an outstanding example of late antique mosaic decoration, known for its starry skies and scenes of saints, which illustrate the fusion of Roman art and Byzantine tradition.

To know

• The Justinian mosaic, which mirrors that of Theodora, blends religious and political themes against a gold background, presenting a valuable insight into 6th-century Ravenna.
• An illustrated guide to the mosaics might be useful for gaining a deeper insight into the details.

Curiosities

Rumour has it that the star-studded dome of the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia inspired Cole Porter’s song Night and Day, written while he was on his honeymoon in Ravenna in 1932.

These sites reflect Ravenna's central role as a cultural and religious hub between the 4th and 8th centuries. The mosaics create a unique environment where art and spirituality blend together.

Just a few kilometres from Ravenna, Classe provides an insight into life at a Byzantine port.

To see

• Classe Archaeological Park, containing the remains of public buildings, roads and urban spaces from the Byzantine port city.
• Classe Necropolis, with Lombard tombs and grave goods providing evidence of the social and cultural development of the area.

To know

Classe was a strategically important port for routes to Constantinople and the eastern Adriatic

Curiosity

The tombs contain artefacts and weapons that provide insight into daily life and the city’s commercial and military role following the fall of the Roman Empire.

Strolling through the ruins allows visitors to imagine what daily life was like between the 6th and 8th centuries.

The next day we set off for Forlì.

Must-sees

• Archaeological Museum with artefacts ranging from prehistory to the Middle Ages and a section devoted to the early Middle Ages.
• Capuchin Friars’ Archaeological Site, containing urban ruins and Lombard tombs that tell the story of the city.

To know

• Some of the most significant artefacts in the museum include weapons and grave goods offering insight into life between the 6th and 9th centuries and the transition from the Roman world to Lombard culture
• Some of the artefacts from the archaeological site also reveal Byzantine influences, an indication of relations with the Exarchate of Ravenna.

To taste

Give the piadina with squacquerone cheese and arugula a try – it’s a local speciality. In Forlì and Cesena, it’s richer and more substantial, whereas in the Rimini area it’s thin and pliable: find out more here

A tour through objects and archaeological ruins that reveal the transition from the Roman world to the Middle Ages.

In the afternoon, the tour continues to the Montefeltro region, to the medieval village of Sant’Agata Feltria, where the walls and towers are evidence of early medieval settlements.

Strolling through the narrow streets and squares, visitors can imagine the daily lives of the nobles, merchants and peasants of the time. The village walls preserve original early medieval features, which were also used for defence during the local wars of the Middle Ages.

Continue on towards the Fortress, a strategically dominant vantage point: From the towers, vast panoramas of hills and valleys open up before your eyes.

Tip

Be sure to bring a camera or a pair of binoculars so you can capture the landscape and the details of the fortifications.

Curiosity

Some of the buildings in the village still preserve symbols of Lombard origin on their doorways, associated with protection and membership in noble families.

A landscape that is clear evidence of the defensive and strategic function of medieval villages.

On the last day, however, we move on to Rimini.

To see

• City Museum, housing artefacts from the Roman period to the early Middle Ages that tell the story of Rimini as a port and trading city. Tools, coins, ceramics and everyday objects reveal the history of Rimini as a port and trading city on the Adriatic coast.
• The Surgeon’s House, a unique archaeological site containing surgical instruments, household objects and evidence of daily life in Roman and early medieval times.

Tip

Book a guided tour or use the audio guide to find out more about medical practices and daily life over 1500 years ago: Guided tours are always available, but booking is required at least three days in advance.

To taste

Before you leave, treat yourself to a seafood lunch at one of the restaurants in the town centre.

Try one of the local specialities, such as brodetto di pesce, a traditional seafood soup that originated on board fishing boats.

A vivid picture of daily life between the Roman era and the early Middle Ages.