The Classis Museum is an unmissable stop for anyone wishing to learn more about the history and archaeology of Ravenna. It tells the story of Ravenna and Classe, two key hubs for communication with the then-known world.

One of the most important archaeological museums in Italy

The museum is housed in the former Classe sugar refinery, built in the early 20th century, and is considered one of the most important archaeological museums in Italy.

Outside, visitors are greeted by the striking ‘Onda’ mosaic, the work of master mosaicist Paolo Racagni, created in collaboration with the Ancient Mosaic Restoration Workshop of the RavennAntica Foundation. This mosaic adorns the entrance staircase and pays tribute to the history of the site, where water, represented by the sea and the marsh, was a fundamental element.

Ravenna and Classe: history, power and faith

The wealth and power of Ravenna, the capital of antiquity, were closely linked to the city of Classe, one of the key hubs of international trade. In 27 BC, the emperor Augustus stationed the imperial fleet (Classis) there, which controlled the entire Adriatic Sea. Classe was a rich and prosperous city, adorned with magnificent basilicas and buildings, which have unfortunately disappeared today.

The museum tour allows visitors to immerse themselves in the city’s millennia-old history, starting from its Etruscan–Umbrian origins, moving through Roman antiquity, the Gothic and Byzantine periods, and concluding with the year 1000. The exhibition features valuable archaeological artefacts discovered during the numerous excavation campaigns in Romagna, particularly in Classe, accompanied by modern multimedia tools that make the experience even more immersive.

The Classis Museum, the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe and the nearby archaeological site of the Ancient Port are three key stops for understanding the importance and splendour of ancient Ravenna and the lost city of Classe.