The Mausoleum of Theodoric in Ravenna is the most famous tomb of the Ostrogoths. The emperor himself had the marble monument erected there by the year 520. The covering of the mausoleum consists of a 300-ton piece of stone with a diameter of 11 meters. It was brought to Ravenna by sea. The monument is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Mausoleum of Theodoric Ravenna
Useful information
The address of the Mausoleum of Theodoric is Via delle Industrie, 14 (tel. +39 0544 456701 or +39 0544 543724). The nearest bus stop is Mausoleo di Teodorico (lines 2, 5, 18, 90, 141, 161, 195). The opening hours are from 08:30 till 17:30. It is only partially accessible to the disabled. The entrance fee is 4 Euro (2 Euro with discount). A combo ticket Mausoleum of Theodoric, Museo Nazionale di Ravenna and Sant’Apollinare in Classe Basilica costs 10 Euro (5 Euro with discount) and is valid for three days from the time of issue. On the first Sunday of the month, the monument is free. Romagna Visit Card is valid. (Note that prices and times may be subject to change.)
History and description
The Mausoleo di Teodorico is made of large blocks of stone originating from Istria. Like all Roman mausoleums, it has a central floor plan.
It was the emperor himself who ordered the construction of the mausoleum.
The building has two floors, the lower one having ten corners. On each side is a central niche. An external staircase leads to the second floor, which is smaller. This floor is also ten-cornered, but at its highest point almost circular.
The roof of the mausoleum is made of one piece, weighs as much as 300 tons and is spherical.
The room where the mortal remains of Theodoric the Great were kept is round.
What to see
A crack in the ceiling
The re is a crack in the dome of the mausoleum is linked to a legend. According to a prophecy, Theodoric was to die after having been struck by lightning. To ward off danger, he used to take shelter in the mausoleum during thunderstorms. It goes almost without saying that the building ended up ebing struck by lightning.