Step into the shimmering world of Ravenna — a city where every wall, dome, and chapel tells a story in gold and glass. Renowned for its extraordinary Byzantine mosaics, Ravenna is a living gallery where art, history, and devotion merge in timeless harmony.

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Morning – A Walk Through History (9:00 AM – 12:30 PM)

Location: UNESCO Heritage Sites of Ravenna

Your guided experience begins among Ravenna’s most captivating monuments, where mosaics have glowed for over fifteen centuries. Accompanied by an expert art historian, you’ll explore the masterpieces that have inspired artists and architects for generations.

Highlights include:

• Basilica di San Vitale – a jewel of Byzantine architecture

• Mausoleum of Galla Placidia – where blue and gold dance in light

• Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo – storytelling through sacred images

• The art of mosaic symbolism and technique through the ages

Includes:
Private guide, entrance fees, and a printed art map of Ravenna’s mosaic trail

 

Lunch – The Artist’s Table (12:45 PM – 2:00 PM)

Location: Trattoria or garden café near San Vitale

Enjoy a leisurely lunch surrounded by the atmosphere of Ravenna’s historic quarter. Dine on traditional Emilia-Romagna cuisine while discussing the morning’s discoveries with your guide or fellow travellers.

Sample Menu:

• Handmade cappelletti with ricotta and spinach

• Seasonal salad with balsamic glaze

• Almond and orange torta with espresso

 

Afternoon – Create Your Own Masterpiece (2:15 PM – 5:30 PM)

Location: Local artisan mosaic studio

Under the guidance of a skilled mosaic master, step into the artist’s world and learn the techniques that have defined Ravenna’s craft for centuries. You’ll discover how to cut, shape, and set each tessera (tile) into your own piece of living art.

Workshop options:

• Introductory Session (1 hour): A gentle introduction to mosaic-making

• Half-Day Workshop: Create a complete small artwork using traditional tools and materials

• Full-Day or Multi-Day Courses: For those wishing to immerse themselves fully in the art and rhythm of the studio

All materials, tools, and protective equipment are provided. Participants take home their finished mosaic as a lasting keepsake of their time in Ravenna.

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Evening – Reflections in Gold (5:30 PM – 7:00 PM)

Location: Wine bar or café near Piazza del Popolo

Conclude your artistic journey with a glass of local wine or an aperitivo, reflecting on the timeless beauty and meditative rhythm of mosaic creation. Discuss what you’ve learned with your instructor and fellow participants as the evening light catches the city’s golden façades.

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Helpful Tips & Suggestions

• Dress Code: Comfortable clothing suitable for walking and studio work

• Photography: Allowed in most monuments; avoid flash in heritage sites

• Cultural Insight: Mosaic-making in Ravenna is not just art — it’s a conversation with light, devotion, and eternity

 

Pricing (Per Person)

ExperiencePrice

Guided historical tour£85

Lunch£40

Mosaic workshop (half-day)£120

Aperitivo£30

Total (approx.)£275

Explore the art of la bellezza eterna — where colour, craft, and culture unite.
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