Ravenna in one focused loop through the city's old centre: from the plainest brick box hiding the oldest surviving mosaic night sky, through the gold-Byzantine processions of two basilicas, past the heretic-baptistery and the exiled-poet's grave, ending at the small Franciscan church that has held Italy's greatest poet's tomb for seven centuries.

In walking order

1. 1
   Mausoleum of Galla Placidia

   Start at the plainest brick box — outside leaves you unprepared

   ~25 min on site
2. 2
   Basilica of San Vitale

   2 min west, across the octagonal walkway

   ~35 min on site
3. 3
   Arian Baptistery

   5 min north, Piazza degli Ariani

   ~20 min on site
4. 4
   Sant'Apollinare Nuovo

   8 min east along Via Roma, the long mosaic basilica

   ~30 min on site
5. 5
   Dante's Tomb

   7 min north, in the Basilica di San Francesco complex (free entry, behind a small door on the right)

   ~15 min on site
6. 6
   Neonian (Orthodox) Baptistery

   8 min south-east, Piazza del Duomo (ticket with cathedral)

   ~20 min on site
7. 7
   Basilica of San Francesco

   1 min from Dante's Tomb, through the small cloister to the wooden crucifix inside

   ~15 min on site