Wet dock of Ravenna

Accessible from the train station through a subway, the Darsena di Ravenna is an artificial basin built in modern times for industrial purposes.

The position in which it was built is not accidental, as it follows the ancient line of the Ravenna coastline. In the 5th century, in fact, the sea reached as far as the city, exactly at the level of the railway tracks, while today it is a few kilometres away from the centre.

Proof of the proximity of the ancient coastline to the centre of Ravenna can be found in the history of the Basilica of St John the Evangelist, a church commissioned by the empress Galla Placidia and built right next to the sea and the current station.

The empress had this basilica built as a votive offering for having escaped a shipwreck on her return journey from Constantinople, where she had gone because of the death of her brother Honorius and the coronation of her son.

What to see at the darsena of Ravenna

In recent times, the Darsena (dock) in Ravenna has undergone some restoration work after a long time spent in a state of neglect. Until a few years ago, the dock area was still working; however, following the economic crisis and changes in the logistics sector, many activities were forced to close.

Thanks to the project called 'Darsena di città', many closed spaces have been reopened to the citizens of Ravenna. At the same time the city has tried to restore its original role as a gateway to the sea.

Today the dock is home to a number of bars, restaurants, offices and start-up incubators, as well as new street furniture and many street art works by internationally renowned artists such as Ericailcane.

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