Ravenna was the Byzantine capital of the West. The churches with their stunning mosaics make Ravenna one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. 2 hours south of Vienna and an hour from Bologna it is bypassed by most. There are 8 buildings in the Unesco World Heritage SIte. Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe is a few kilometers out of town in a field. It was originally on the shore but silting over the years has it now 9km inland. poet Dante Algihieri is buried in Ravenna. The was exiled from his birthplace in Florence and eventually settled in Ravenna. Florence has often tried to get Dante’s remains returned. At one stage the remains were concealed a false wall of a monastery. Basilica St Vitale has the best collection of Byzantine mosaics outside of Istanbul.