Ravenna is 40 minutes from here. That’s not just a detail — it’s the reason why, if you want to see the finest Byzantine mosaics in the world, staying with us makes more sense than staying in Ravenna’s city centre.
Eight UNESCO monuments, gold and blue on every ceiling, fifteen centuries of history packed into a handful of buildings you can walk between. And in the evening, instead of heading back to a city hotel, you head back to the countryside.
What to see: the mosaics in brief
You don’t need to see all eight monuments to understand why Ravenna is unique. The four essentials:
- Basilica of San Vitale — Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora with her court, the most photographed mosaic in the city
- Mausoleum of Galla Placidia — the oldest, with its star-studded midnight-blue vault
- Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo — the processions of martyrs, famous for the intensity of the blue
- Neonian Baptistery — the oldest baptismal monument still intact in the West
They’re all clustered in the historic centre, a 15-20 minute walk from each other.
Tickets and booking
The combined ticket covers 5 sites (the four above plus the Archiepiscopal Museum and St Andrew’s Chapel): €10.50 full price, €9.50 concession, valid 7 days. For the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia and the Neonian Baptistery, booking a time slot is mandatory (€2 supplement). Always check current prices on the official Ravenna Mosaics website before you go — it’s the only reliable source on hours and availability.
How much time you need
Half a day is enough for San Vitale, Galla Placidia and the Neonian Baptistery, all close together. Add Sant’Apollinare Nuovo and lunch in town, and it becomes a full day. Neither option requires an overnight stay in Ravenna itself.
Why stay here instead of central Ravenna
In central Ravenna, prices near the monuments climb fast, especially in high season. From here you get a 40-minute drive, lower prices, homemade breakfast, and real countryside around San Lorenzo di Lugo instead of the evening tourist crowds. If you stay more than one night, the next day you can also take a bike ride along the Al.Ba.Co. cycle route, which passes right in front of the house.
How to get to Ravenna from here
- By car: about 40 minutes
- By train: Lugo station, Bologna–Ravenna line, then a short walk from Ravenna station to the monuments
Frequently asked questions about the Ravenna mosaics
How much does the ticket for the Ravenna mosaics cost? The combined ticket for 5 UNESCO sites costs €10.50 full price, €9.50 concession, valid for 7 days.
How much time do you need to see the Ravenna mosaics? Half a day for the three main sites (San Vitale, Galla Placidia, Neonian Baptistery), a full day if you add Sant’Apollinare Nuovo.
Can you see the Ravenna mosaics as a day trip from Lugo? Yes, Ravenna is about 40 minutes by car or a short train ride from Lugo.
Is it better to book in advance? Yes — for the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia and the Neonian Baptistery, a timed booking is mandatory.
Planning your mosaic day trip?
Rooms at Ca’ de Mazapédar can be booked directly → Book here or on WhatsApp: +39 351 368 6840
