We rode the train this morning to Ravenna.  It was raining, so we looked very colorful as we disembarked the train in Ravenna under our umbrellas.  Our city guide greeted us, then we walked briskly down several blocks to the first building we would enter.  We spent about four hours touring buildings with intricate mosaics on ceilings, walls, and floors.  This city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the mosaics and monuments.  We went to these sites:  S. Francesco which is sinking, Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, Mausoleo Di Galla Placidia,Basilica di San Vitale, and Dante’s Tomb.
Dante’s Tomb
We said good-bye to our knowledgeable city guide. Â She hugged some of us. Â Then we went to a small restaurant where we enjoyed a delicious lunch which included appetizers, Sangiovese wine, pasta, and dessert.
Dessert
After lunch we saw artists making pictures with mosaic tiles. Â A woman explained the process from purchasing, to cutting, to attaching them to a base. Â It was fascinating to see artists making commissioned pieces for clients.
We then walked back to the train station, and we boarded the train twenty minutes later. Â It had stopped raining after we toured the first church, and skies were clear for the rest of the day.
Alessandro and me
Linda