The domus of stone carpets in Ravenna

THE DOMUS OF STONE CARPETS IN RAVENNA

It is one of the most significant Italian archaeological sites discovered over the last few decades. The Domus is a modern framework, an underground space (located 3 meters below the road level) hosting the gorgeous mosaics of  a magnificent Byzantine palace dating back to the 6th century AD. The exhibition area shows wonderful mosaic pavements (14) decorated with geometrical, floral and figurative patterns considered as unique. Such is the case of the “Dance of the Geniuses of the Seasons”, a very rare depiction showing the geniuses dancing in a circle, and a version of the
“Good  Shepherd”  that  is  completely  different  from  any  classical  Christian  representation.  The Domus  adorns  Ravenna,  a  city  declared  World  Heritage  by  UNESCO  for  its  5th-6th   century  AD monuments, of a further precious treasure, inaugurated by the President of the Republic of Italy during the events organised to celebrate the anniversary of the 1600 years of Ravenna capital of the Western Roman Empire.
For further information: www.ravennantica.it

EXHIBITION “OTIUM LUDENS” IN RAVENNA

From  March  13th   to  October  4th.  Considered  by  the  renowned  English  daily  newspaper  The Times  one  of  the  best  ten  exhibitions  of  2008,  Otium  Ludens  presents  170  extraordinary  finds including frescoes, stuccos and objects, all from 8 maritime villas of Stabia, many of which have been restored and can be seen by the public for the first time. The most beautiful and evocative items are the one hundred or so frescoes, some stuccos and bronze objects, recovered along the Stabian hill of Varano, submerged in AD 79 by the ash from Vesuvius. It will not escape anyone’s attention of course that there is an intended connection between the exhibition organised by RavennAntica last year - Otium. L’arte di vivere nelle domus romane di età imperiale  -  and  the  new  event  Otium  Ludens.  In  fact,  as  the  title  implies,  there  is  a  thread connecting the ancient villas of Stabia and those of Ravenna, the life of otium and the pleasures of the Roman elite in Campania Felix before the apocalyptic eruption of Vesuvius and, in the following period, in the city of Ravenna.
For further information: www.ravennantica.it

With your Youth Hostel membership card you will pay € 3 for the single admittance of the Domus or for the exhibition “Otium Ludens”.

Inclusive ticket Exhibition “Otium Ludens” + the Domus of Stone Carpets: with your Youth Hostel membership card you will pay € 5.

Where to sleep: The recently refurbished Youth Hostel “Dante” offers an amazingly wide range of accommodation facilities geared to all tastes requirements, including single and double rooms, rooms with 3/4/6 beds, some en suite others with bathroom sharing, en suite family rooms, and rooms suitable for disabled guests. Other facilities fully available to guests include a cafeteria, an internet point, a library, a television room, and a laundry with coin-operated washing machines and cloth dryers. What’s more there’s also a conference hall suitable for all sorts of meetings, talks, seminars, lessons and so forth. A real asset to teachers, the hall can be used for briefing the class on the visits to be made to the monuments or for after-visit discussions. Bicycles are available for hire  and  there  are  many  pleasant  outings  that  can  be  made.  Strategically  located,  downtown Ravenna for a visit to the stunning and world-renowned mosaics is easily accessible, as is also the seaside for  a relaxing  day of  sunning  and bathing.  And finally,  fun and games galore are but a stones throw away at the Mirabilandia amusement park.

For information and booking:
Ostello DANTE
Tel/Fax: + 39 0544 421164
hostelravenna@hotmail.com  
www.hostelravenna.com