Powerful Architecture
The Mausoleum of Theodoric is an unparalleled architectural episode, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
In Ravenna North - East, by the sea roadside, in a wide green land, the mausoleum of the legendary king Theodoric (454- 526) shines in its White aurisina stone. It was built around 520 by the Gothic king, born in the Danubian steppes from a people migrated in ancient days from Scandinavian regions. Theodoric had been sent hostage, as a child, to the gorgeous imperial court of Constantinople and here he was trained in military arts and in the clever exercise of power. In 488, with the imperial consent, he led his people from the North (present Bulgaria) to Italy. The goal was to tame the Herulian king Odoacer, who did not recognize the imperial authority. In 493 Italy became the new home of the Goths, Ravenna was chosen as capital and Theodoric reigned over the Roman Catholics and the Goths of Arian faith.
The king did not impose forced integrations and encouraged a coexistence of ethnicities, cultures, laws, and religious traditions. The Mausoleum of the great “Theodoricus rex” is imperial and barbaric at a time, masterfully built with massive stone blocks of limestone in perfect proportions.
It is inspired by funerary architecture with round plan, both from the Roman and from the East. However perceptible remain the signs of Goth identity and of the Arian religion. The lowered dome is a huge, singular block of stone, symbol of power and of the ascent to heaven, like a great royal crown enriched with twelve stone handles carved in the same monolith. The frieze running under the dome, called “tong frieze” recall a Goth goldsmith decorations.
ADDRESS
Via delle Industrie, 14 - Ravenna
Partially accessible to mobility-impaired visitors
CONTACTS
ticket office: +39 0544 456701
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museum management: +39 0544 543710 / 543720
TICKET OFFICE AND BOOKSHOP:
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OPENING TIMES
From MONDAY to THURSDAY from 8:30 to 13:30 (last admission at 13:00)
FRIDAY and SATURDAY from 8:30 to 19:00 (last admission at 18:30)
SUNDAY from 8:30 to 13:30 (last admission at 13:00)
Prices:
Full: 4,00 €
Reduced 2,00 € (Young people aged between 18 and 25 years, upon presentation of valid identity card or passport);
Free for the "Romagna Visit Card" holders
For every information and selling points: http://www.romagnavisitcard.it/
Free of charge for all people under 18 years upon presentation of valid identity card or passport, the first sundays of each month from October to March and on July 23th, December 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, August 14th and 15th;
for citizens of non-EU Countries, only upon mutual agreement.
