Around Ravenna to discover Dante

We begin our 3-day itinerary in the footsteps of Dante da Classe, a destination of little known beauty that houses the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe, among the UNESCO World Heritage sites, and the Pineta di Classe, a green paradise much loved by the Supreme Poet.

The Basilica surrounded by the town center of Classe is a must for anyone who is passing through those parts. It is the largest example of early Christian basilica in the world and the polychrome mosaics that adorn it are undoubtedly worth a visit before proceeding south towards the great pine forest.

At the Pineta di Classe, green lung of Ravenna, you can access from the I Maggio Park and at this point you have more than one option. You can immerse yourself in the park, perhaps by bicycle, following a 4-kilometre loop path that will accompany you in all the most evocative places of the pine forest or go to discover the Oak Trees of Dante, a large oak grove that has accompanied the Poet in his meditative walks. The lush nature that characterizes this pine forest is mentioned in the Divine Comedy: it is the beautiful and hospitable forest that accompanies visitors to the entrance of the Earthly Paradise.

If you feel like it, follow the path until you reach the wettest areas and those with the greatest environmental diversity, the oases of Ortazzo and Ortazzino.

Let's start right from the capital, the first stage of the evocative cultural and naturalistic path The Way of Dante® that in 21 days allows you to retrace the journey of the Supreme Poet from his beloved Florence to Ravenna. It is a long walking route promoted by a non-profit association with the aim of spreading the Dantean culture that starts from the Tomb of Dante in Ravenna, reaches the Tuscan capital through the Apennines and return to Romagna passing through the Casentino for a total of 400 kilometers.

On our three-day itinerary, we invite your curiosity with a small taste of this long journey between two of the most beautiful regions of Italy.

We then arrived at the place where Dante was buried in 1321 after the funerals in pomp celebrated in the Basilica of San Francesco, at the time the church of San Pier Maggiore. Dante's Tomb is located in the heart of medieval Ravenna. It is a small neoclassical temple built behind the Basilica of San Francesco between 1780 and 1781 on a project by the architect Camillo Morigia. Originally the place of the eternal rest of the Father of the Italian Language was to be a simple chapel, but little more than a century after his death the governor of Ravenna decided to give greater prominence to the tomb of the Supreme Poet by commissioning the sculptor Pietro Lombardo a marble bas-relief with the portrait of Dante.

The elements made in 1483 were then incorporated into the current mausoleum, still visible to visitors who go to Ravenna to pay homage to Dante. On the architrave of access to the monument stands the inscription Dantis Poetae Sepulcrum.

A few steps from the tomb was set up the Dante Museum, a path in 9 rooms that traces the life and works of Alighieri among documents, plates and interactive elements introduced during the last renovation.

Scholars are convinced that Dante was inspired by the splendid mosaics of Ravenna to describe some places and characters of the Divine Comedy.
That is why we suggest a visit to the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo to admire the extraordinary mosaic decoration that, among elements of the New Testament, also presents the procession of the virgins and saints that we find in the XXIX song of Purgatory to anticipate the arrival in the Earthly Paradise of the beloved Beatrice.

You can not visit the places of Dante in Ravenna without indulging a day on the renowned coast. This is where our 3-day itinerary ends, walking among the 9 Ravenna beaches that alternate along 35 kilometers of coastline that for the Supreme Poet meant a lot among wild dunes, tranquility, the incredible multiplicity of plants and animals.

Whatever your ideal stay at the sea, in Marina di Ravenna you will find the beach that suits you best.

• Casalborsetti: the northernmost seaside resort in Ravenna. It stands on the banks of the Rhine Right canal and offers wide open beaches and small equipped establishments, as well as a large motorhome area 100 meters from the sea and a beach for 4-legged friends.
• Marina Romea: the most elegant beach in Ravenna, surrounded by centuries-old pine trees and therefore ideal for those looking for a day at the sea without giving up the greenery.
• Porto Corsini: the oldest of the Ravenna beaches and one of the most oriented to water sports. Here too you will find the lush retrodunal pine forest where you can take shelter from the sun between dives.
• Marina di Ravenna: the trendiest seaside resort, with an important marina, avant-garde establishments and a nightlife that will keep you company until dawn.
• Punta Marina Terme: ideal for those who want to give themselves some time in the spa on the beach. Here there is also a factory that allows people with very serious physical disabilities to swim in the sea.
• Lido Adriano: the most visited during the summer thanks to the large golden beach, the many equipped establishments and a dense calendar of events from morning to evening.
• Lido di Dante: a small paradise for those who seek tranquility away from chaos. Unspoiled beaches, lots of pitches for motorhomes and few bathing establishments.
• Lido di Classe: tied to the nearby pine forest, this lido offers both equipped beaches and long free beaches, as well as an excellent beach dedicated to 4-legged friends.
• Lido di Savio: close to Milano Marittima, the lido is a popular destination for those looking for fun and entertainment.