Last June 14th, a conference dedicated to a missing late antique goldsmith’s artifact, the so-called “Theodoric’s Armor”, was held at the National Museum of Ravenna. It was the first moment of public relevance for the National Museums of Ravenna, a new institute with special autonomy created by the will of the Ministry of Culture. The nucleus of independent monuments in Ravenna includes, in addition to the Museum, the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe, the Arian Baptistery, the Mausoleum and the Palace of Theodoric.
“The day, conceived and organized also thanks to the commitment and professionalism of Serena Ciliani and the colleagues who work passionately on the activities of the Ravenna office” comments director Andrea Sardo, “was of great satisfaction. The quality and variety of the interventions combined with the ability of the speakers to transmit their research to a varied audience involved all the participants. I speak in the plural because it was very nice to see the room full of people, not only ‘experts’, but also citizens aware of the importance of heritage or simply curious to know a little more about the history of the city”.
The event, organized on the occasion of the European Archeology Days, attracted a large audience, with almost one hundred participants between morning and afternoon, from university students from the Ravenna Campus to tourist guides. “An excellent start for me” resumes Sardo, who took on the role of director of the National Museums of Ravenna less than a month ago. “My role gives me the privilege of being able to share the events we organize with the public and to gather stimuli and proposals from them, knowing that I can count on the collaboration of all the communities”.
What will be the next steps that the newly formed autonomous museum reality will take?
“We will give a first sign in response to the needs put forward by the tourism operators” replies the director “Although the staff shortage cannot be resolved quickly or easily, we have remodulated the timetables of the assigned cultural places, to guarantee in the months of July and August a wider opening of the Mausoleum of Theodoric and the Arian Baptistery. Furthermore, thanks to the ministerial funds allocated to valorization projects, we will ensure participation in the Mosaico di Notte program, organized by the Municipality of Ravenna, with a rich calendar of extraordinary evening openings”.
Below are the opening hours in force from 1 July to 31 August 2024
MAUSOLEUM OF THEODORIC
from Monday to Sunday 8.30am – 7pm
ARIAN BAPTISTRY
Monday to Thursday 9am – 12pm
from Friday to Sunday 9 -12 + 14 -17
THEODORICO PALACE
every Monday 8.30 -13.30
Saturday 5.30pm – 7.30pm
BASILICA OF SANT’APOLLINARE IN CLASSE
from Monday to Saturday 8.30am-7pm; Sundays and religious holidays 1.30pm – 7pm
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF RAVENNA
from Tuesday to Sunday 8.30am – 1.30pm
Special Fridays at the Museum: every Friday in July and August 8.30am – 7.30pm
At the museum day and night: 8.30am – 11.30pm > 28 June; 12 and 26 July; 9 and 23 August
