Antico Porto di Classe

About the museum

The Antico Porto di Classe is the first of the three sites of the Parco Archeologico di Classe, together with the Basilica di Sant'Apollinare in Classe and the Museo Classis Ravenna. It opened to the public in 2015 and covers about 10,000 square metres, about 4 km from the centre of Ravenna, at the mouth of the ancient port canal.

Toward the end of the 1st century BC, Octavian Augustus had the great outer moles built at Classe and established the imperial fleet there to guard the eastern Mediterranean. When Ravenna became the capital of the Western Roman Empire (402 AD), Classe developed into a satellite city and an important commercial and military port on the Adriatic. The layout of roads and buildings now on display dates from the 5th century, linked to trade with Africa and the East. The decline began with the economic crisis and the silting up of the canals.

The visit follows two connected walking routes. The first crosses landing places, warehouses and paved roads, with ten information panels and perspective glass slabs that reconstruct buildings and activities that have now disappeared; a raised bridge spans the port canal. A ramp leads to the second, elevated itinerary, with a viewpoint over the entire archaeological area. The finds from the excavations are displayed in the Museo Classis Ravenna.

Highlights

• Landing places, warehouses and paved roads of the Roman port of Classe
• Perspective glass slabs with reconstructions of the vanished buildings
• Raised bridge over the port canal
• Elevated route with viewpoint over the archaeological area
• Linked to the Museo Classis Ravenna and the Basilica di Sant’Apollinare in Classe within the Parco Archeologico di Classe

Permanent exhibitions

• Percorso archeologico del porto di Classe – Walking route among landing places, warehouses and paved roads, with information panels and perspective slabs reconstructing the vanished buildings.
• Percorso in quota con belvedere – Second elevated route, reached by a ramp, with viewpoints over the entire archaeological area.

Founded

2015

Operated by

Fondazione Parco Archeologico di Classe – RavennAntica

Visitors per year

approx. 22,853

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for journalists, licensed tourist guides, ICOM members and the other categories given reductions by the Ministry of Culture. Tickets can be bought online or at the ticket offices of the RavennAntica sites.

Accessibility

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

Pets are admitted under certain conditions (leash, valid health booklet); animals accompanying visitors who are blind enter without restriction. The outdoor area has a large green space and water bowls.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Workshops and animated visits are offered for children and families (LARA Kids&Family); for schools, also the route “Mosy e il mosaico misterioso”.

Getting there & parking

The site is connected to the centre of Ravenna by a cycle path.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit