# Ravenna

> city in northern Italy

**Wikidata**: [Q13364](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13364)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ravenna)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ravenna

## Summary
Ravenna is a city in northern Italy, located in the Emilia-Romagna region, known for its rich historical heritage and status as a former capital of the Western Roman Empire. It is the capital of the Province of Ravenna and is recognized for its significant cultural and historical landmarks, including its famous mosaics and ecclesiastical architecture.

## Key Facts
- Ravenna is located in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy.
- Population: 155,751 (as of 2023).
- Area: 653.82 km² (as of 2011).
- Elevation: 4 meters above sea level.
- Timezone: UTC+01:00 (standard time), UTC+02:00 (daylight saving time).
- Official language: Italian.
- Coordinates: 44.4161° N, 12.2017° E.
- Capital of the Province of Ravenna and historically of the Kingdom of Italy.
- Notable historical periods: Exarchate of Ravenna (584–751), Papal States, Republic of Venice, and others.
- Patron Saint: Apollinaris of Ravenna.
- Twinned with cities including Speyer, Posadas, Chartres, Chichester, and Dubrovnik.
- Licencse plate code: RA.
- Dialing code: 0544.
- Website: [www.comune.ra.it](https://www.comune.ra.it/)
- Head of government: Michele De Pascale (since 2016).
- Seismic classification: Zone 3.
- Notable landmarks include the Basilica of San Vitale and Piazza del Popolo.
- Languages used: Italian and Romagnol.
- Coordinates of extreme points:
  - Northernmost: 44.6292° N, 12.2699° E
  - Southernmost: 44.2131° N, 12.2238° E
  - Easternmost: 44.3015° N, 12.3483° E
  - Westernmost: 44.4126° N, 12.0291° E

## FAQs
### Where is Ravenna located?
Ravenna is located in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Ravenna and lies within the broader historical region of Romagna.

### What is the population of Ravenna?
As of 2023, Ravenna's population is approximately 155,751 residents.

### What is Ravenna known for historically?
Ravenna was the capital of the Western Roman Empire and later became a significant center under the Byzantine Exarchate of Ravenna (584–751). It is also known for its early Christian mosaics, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

### What languages are spoken in Ravenna?
The official language is Italian, but the local dialect Romagnol is also widely used.

### What is the administrative structure of Ravenna?
Ravenna is a comune (municipality) and serves as the capital of the Province of Ravenna. It is part of the Legation of Romagna and has been historically governed by various states, including the Papal States and the Kingdom of Italy.

### What are some notable landmarks in Ravenna?
Ravenna is home to the Basilica of San Vitale, Piazza del Popolo, and several UNESCO World Heritage Sites known for their early Christian mosaics.

### What is Ravenna's seismic classification?
Ravenna is classified in seismic zone 3, indicating a low seismic risk.

### What are the time zone details for Ravenna?
Ravenna follows Central European Time (CET, UTC+01:00) and Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+02:00).

### What is the significance of Ravenna's history?
Ravenna served as the capital of the Western Roman Empire and later as a key administrative center under Byzantine rule. It also played a role in the Papal States and various Italian political transitions.

### What are Ravenna's sister cities?
Ravenna is twinned with cities such as Speyer (Germany), Posadas (Argentina), Chartres (France), Chichester (UK), and Dubrovnik (Croatia).

## Why It Matters
Ravenna holds immense cultural and historical significance as a repository of early Christian art and architecture, particularly its Byzantine mosaics, which are recognized by UNESCO. Its role as a former capital of the Western Roman Empire and later the Exarchate of Ravenna underscores its importance in European history. The city's rich heritage continues to attract scholars, tourists, and historians, making it a vital node in understanding medieval and early modern Italian and European history.

## Notable For
- Being the capital of the Western Roman Empire.
- Hosting eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Basilica of San Vitale.
- Its early Christian mosaics, considered among the finest in Europe.
- A rich history of political transitions, including governance by the Papal States, Republic of Venice, and the Kingdom of Italy.
- Its role in the Exarchate of Ravenna (584–751), a key Byzantine administrative region.
- Serving as a cultural and historical hub in the Romagna region of Italy.

## Body

### History
Ravenna's history is deeply intertwined with the political and religious shifts in European history. It served as the capital of the Western Roman Empire and later became a central administrative region under the Byzantine Exarchate of Ravenna from 584 to 751. The city was later part of the Papal States at various points (1278–1440, 1509–1527, 1529–1796, 1814–1860) and the Republic of Venice (1440–1509, 1527–1529). It also experienced brief governance under the Cisalpine Republic (1796–1802) and the Kingdom of Italy (1805–1814, 1861–1946).

### Geography and Demographics
Ravenna is located in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, with a total area of 653.82 km². The city sits at 4 meters above sea level and is part of the broader Romagna region. As of 2023, the population is 155,751. The city's coordinates are 44.4161° N, 12.2017° E. The municipal boundaries extend from 44.2131° N to 44.6292° N (latitude) and 12.0291° E to 12.3483° E (longitude).

### Political and Administrative Structure
Ravenna is the capital of the Province of Ravenna and has been historically significant in various political entities, including the Legation of Romagna (1540–1797, 1816–1850) and the Apostolic Legation of Ravenna (1816–1850). The city is currently part of the Italian Republic and is governed by Mayor Michele De Pascale since 2016.

### Culture and Heritage
Ravenna is renowned for its early Christian mosaics, particularly in the Basilica of San Vitale and other UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city's cultural legacy includes the patron saint Apollinaris of Ravenna and its own dialect, Romagnol. Ravenna also has a rich tradition in art, with entries in the Grove Art Online and multiple Treccani encyclopedias.

### International Relations
Ravenna is twinned with several international cities:
- Speyer (Germany) since 1989
- Posadas (Argentina)
- Chartres (France) since 1957
- Chichester (UK) since 1996
- Dubrovnik (Croatia)

### Infrastructure and Modern Amenities
Ravenna hosts several modern venues:
- Stadio Bruno Benelli
- PalaCosta
- Pala De André

The city is also equipped with modern communication infrastructure, including a local dialing code (0544) and license plate code (RA).

### Seismic and Environmental Data
Ravenna is classified in seismic zone 3, indicating low seismic risk. The city's elevation is 4 meters above sea level, and it is part of the broader Romagna lowland.

### Language and Identity
The official language is Italian, but the local Romagnol dialect is also prevalent. The city's name is rendered in various languages, including Rávena (Spanish), 拉文納 (Chinese), and رافينا (Arabic).

### Digital and Institutional Presence
Ravenna's official website is [comune.ra.it](https://www.comune.ra.it/). The city is also documented in various international databases, including:
- Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names (ID: 7004935)
- World Historical Gazetteer (ID: 13152605)
- National Library of Spain (ID: XX453920)
- Library of Congress Authority (ID: n79042080)

### Religious and Historical Significance
Ravenna's religious heritage includes the patron saint Apollinaris of Ravenna and its historical role as a center of early Christianity. The city's coat of arms and flag reflect its ecclesiastical and imperial past.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. CiNii Research
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. Czech National Authority Database
5. MusicBrainz
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8. [Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2017. Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2017/index3.html)
9. [Source](https://demo.istat.it/?l=it)
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12. BBC Things
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16. [Source](https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/Rawenna;3966280.html)
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19. [Source](https://rischi.protezionecivile.gov.it/it/sismico/attivita/classificazione-sismica)
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