Museo Arcivescovile e Cappella di Sant'Andrea

About the museum

The Museo Arcivescovile di Ravenna was founded in the early 18th century, when Bishop Maffeo Nicolò Farsetti (1727–1741), who had the ancient Ursiana basilica demolished and rebuilt, gathered in a dedicated place mosaics, inscriptions and capitals from that building. On that occasion the chapel became part of the museum. The entrance is through the bookshop, from which you climb the monumental staircase that you reach when leaving the garden of the Neonian Baptistery.

The Chapel of Sant’Andrea, on the first floor, is the only early Christian archiepiscopal chapel to have survived intact, and it is the only orthodox place of worship built during Theodoric’s Arian period. Its mosaics date from the episcopate of Peter II (494–519): in the vestibule birds and plants, over the door a warrior Christ, and in the vault the monogram of Christ with the symbols of the four Evangelists.

Among the works on display stand out the ivory cathedra of Maximian, an ambone (pulpit) from the church of the Santi Giovanni e Paolo, a late antique porphyry statue lacking its head, a 6th-century marble Easter calendar, the silver cross of Bishop Agnello, the mosaics of the apse of the ancient Ursiana cathedral, a 10th-century chasuble and altarpieces from later periods. The museum is spread over two floors connected by ramps; on the second floor there are Braille panels and a 3D tactile model of the Virgin Orante.

Highlights

• Ivory cathedra of Maximian
• Chapel of Sant’Andrea with 6th-century mosaics, UNESCO site
• Mosaics of the apse of the ancient Ursiana basilica
• 6th-century marble Easter calendar
• Silver cross of Bishop Agnello
• 3D tactile model of the Virgin Orante

Permanent exhibition

• Museo Arcivescovile e Cappella di Sant'Andrea – Mosaics, sculptures and objects from the ancient Ursiana basilica, and the Chapel of Sant’Andrea with the mosaics of the time of Peter II.

Founded

1734

Operated by

Opera di Religione della Diocesi di Ravenna

Admission & discounts

The museum is visited with the combined ticket for 5 monuments (Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, San Vitale, Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Neonian Baptistery, Museo Arcivescovile and Chapel of Sant’Andrea): reduced €13.50 for students, unaccredited journalists and paying groups of more than 20 people; special reduced €4 for children aged 6 to 10, religious, military personnel and law enforcement officers, ICOM members, people with disabilities, residents of the Municipality of Ravenna and accredited journalists. Free admission for children aged 0 to 5, licensed tourist guides and accompanying teachers (1 per 10 students). For a visit to the museum you must book the entry time. The full price is not legible in the text of the website (rates are published only as an image).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Entry is from the bookshop by a staircase; people with mobility impairments are taken to the goods lift along a route of about 30 metres in the garden. The two floors are connected by ramps; to enter the chapel there are two consecutive steps. On the second floor there are Braille panels, a tactile panel and a 3D model of the Virgin Orante. Only guide dogs or therapy dogs are admitted. Accessible toilet with changing table on the first floor.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

On the first floor there is a toilet with a changing table.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Bookshop at the entrance; the website also mentions a refreshment room.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit