Ravenna: Museo Nazionale

The National Museum of Ravenna was not one of the places we planned to visit on this trip. Seeing as how close it was to our B&B, however, this morning we decided to add it to our itinerary.

Initially, we thought it would be an easy place to visit tomorrow morning before we head back to Bologna. Then, finding ourselves at a loose end this afternoon, it seemed like a better idea visit the museum today … not having to deal with luggage storage being a bonus.

The core collection that led to the establishment of the museum in 1885 consisted of items gathered by monks in big-city abbeys. The museum was moved to its present location at what was once the Benedictine Monastery of San Vitale and opened to the public in 1903.

In addition to the items that formed the nucleus of its collection, the museum exhibits archaeological finds, sculptures of Byzantine origin, artifacts from some of the city’s UNESCO-listed monuments, furnishings, artisanal pieces, textiles, Renaissance-era bronzes, ivory carvings, ceramics, ancient armaments, and curiosities … just to name some of the categories.

There was no map for us to follow to do our usual ‘treasure hunt’ visit this time. Mui and I started out exploring together, walked through the first cloister, then took the monumental staircase to check out the exhibits on the first floor … starting with the 18th century “Farmacia del Moro” (the Moors Pharmacy) with its ornate cabinets and open shelves lined with apothecary jars, mortars, and more.

Mui soon outpaced me, however … par for the course. Eventually, he left to return to the B&B, leaving me to wander through the museum at my leisure.

Ready to leave after a three-hour visit, I followed the signs to the exit … only to find the second cloister … filled with archeological finds, and one last exhibit … that of the fresco cycle that once adorned the Church of Santa Chiara … today’s Luigi Rasi Theatre.

We’d entered the museum through the grounds of the Basilica di San Vitale. When I exited the museum, I found myself on a street that I was unfamiliar with. Getting my bearings, I figures that if I kept making left turns I would find my way back. I was right. Before long I was at the B&B.

Tomorrow we return to Bologna … but we have plenty of time to check out, from our lodgings, so we’re leaving our packing until the morning. Time for some snacks in lieu of dinner and then … well, methinks it will be time to put up my feet and give them a rest!Leggi altro