MAR – Ravenna Art Museum

Historic Building and Museum in Ravenna

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Domenico Bressan

MAR – Ravenna Art Museum sits in the Loggetta Lombardesca, a refined Renaissance-era cloister that once belonged to the Santa Maria in Porto abbey, and it's one of those Ravenna stops where the building is part of the appeal. The museum has a calm, airy feel, with covered walkways, courtyard views, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you slow down before you've even looked at a single artwork.

The collection and programming lean strongly toward modern and contemporary art, including an impressive presence of contemporary mosaics that feel especially “Ravenna” without repeating the church-and-basilica experience. For travellers who want variety beyond the UNESCO monuments, this is one of the things to do in Ravenna, and it's also often visited on walking tours of Ravenna because it fits neatly into a central route without needing a major detour.

History and Significance of the MAR – Ravenna Art Museum
Things to See and Do in the MAR – Ravenna Art Museum
Practical Tips on Visiting the MAR – Ravenna Art Museum
Where to Stay close to the MAR – Ravenna Art Museum
Is the MAR – Ravenna Art Museum Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting MAR – Ravenna Art Museum
For Different Travelers
Nearby Attractions to the MAR – Ravenna Art Museum

History and Significance of the MAR – Ravenna Art Museum

MAR opened in 2002 as a city museum with a clear mission: preserve Ravenna’s artistic identity while also giving contemporary creativity a serious platform. The setting helps tell that story. The Loggetta Lombardesca, with its early-16th-century monastery origins, provides a strong architectural frame that instantly connects the museum to Ravenna’s long cultural timeline, even before you look at the artworks.

What makes MAR particularly relevant in Ravenna is how it bridges centuries rather than isolating them. The permanent holdings include works spanning from the late medieval period onward, but the museum's identity is shaped by how it keeps the conversation moving into the present, especially through modern mosaics. In a city famous for ancient tesserae, seeing contemporary mosaic practice in a museum context adds depth and prevents Ravenna from feeling like it exists only in the past.

A distinctive element is Laboratorio Aperto, which functions as a civic and creative hub connected to digital culture, experimentation, and participation. Even if you’re not attending a workshop, it’s useful to know MAR isn’t only a gallery space; it’s also a living venue where the city tests ideas about heritage, technology, and community engagement.

Things to See and Do in the MAR – Ravenna Art Museum

Start with the building. Give yourself a few minutes in the cloister to notice the rhythm of arches, the light in the courtyard, and the way the museum uses the historic complex without turning it into a relic. It sets a quieter tone than the busiest church interiors, and it’s a pleasant reset if your day has been heavy on mosaics and monuments.

Inside, focus on the contemporary mosaic works early in your visit. They’re often the most unexpectedly rewarding part of MAR because they show how a technique associated with late antiquity can be bold, experimental, and sharply modern. Even if you’re not normally drawn to contemporary art, mosaic as a medium tends to pull you in through texture and colour, and it’s a natural link to Ravenna’s deeper identity.

Keep an eye out for temporary exhibitions as well, since MAR's schedule often brings in modern artists and themed shows that change the mood of the whole museum. If you're travelling with someone who has different tastes, this is a practical stop because it can satisfy multiple interests at once: architecture lovers get the setting, art fans get rotating exhibitions, and Ravenna-first visitors get a contemporary angle on the city's signature craft.

Practical Tips on Visiting the MAR – Ravenna Art Museum

Suggested tips: Visit mid-morning or early afternoon, then pair it with a café stop nearby so the museum feels like part of a relaxed central wander rather than a standalone task.
Best time to visit: Weekdays for a quieter experience, or early in the day if you want the cloister atmosphere with fewer people.
Entrance fee: €10.00
Opening hours: Tuesday - Saturday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday and holydays: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. closed on Monday
Official website: http://www.mar.ra.it/eng/Home
How long to spend: 60-90 minutes for a solid visit; 2 hours if you want to take your time with temporary exhibitions and the mosaic sections.
Accessibility: Generally manageable for a city museum, but historic complexes can include level changes; check current access routes if you need step-free entry.
Facilities: Ticket desk, museum shop, and nearby services in the city centre; plan a café break around the visit for the most enjoyable pacing.
Photography tip: If photography is permitted, focus on wider shots in the cloister and galleries where light is best, and avoid flash around sensitive works.
Guided tours: Consider a guided visit if you want context for the contemporary mosaic tradition and how it connects to Ravenna’s older masterpieces.
Nearby food options: You’ll find plenty of choices within a short walk, from quick piadina lunches to sit-down trattorias, so it’s easy to build this into a wider day in the centre.

Where to Stay close to the MAR – Ravenna Art Museum

Staying in central Ravenna makes MAR effortless to visit, especially if you want to dip into the museum between UNESCO monuments and meals without relying on transport. Hotel Centrale Byron is well placed for a walkable itinerary that includes MAR and the main sights. For a more boutique feel in the historic centre, Albergo Cappello keeps you close to museums, cafés, and evening strolls. If you like apartment-style flexibility for longer stays, Residence La Reunion is a practical base for exploring at your own pace.

Is the MAR – Ravenna Art Museum Worth Visiting?

Yes, particularly if you want to round out Ravenna with something contemporary and civic-minded rather than purely monumental. MAR complements the city's famous churches by showing how Ravenna's artistic identity continues in the present, especially through modern mosaics that feel rooted in tradition but unafraid of experimentation.

It's also worth visiting simply for the setting. The Loggetta Lombardesca gives the experience an architectural calm that many travellers appreciate after a busy run of must-see interiors, making it a smart “breathing space” in a packed Ravenna itinerary.

FAQs for Visiting MAR – Ravenna Art Museum

It’s known for contemporary exhibitions and a strong focus on modern and contemporary mosaics, alongside a broader permanent collection.

It’s in central Ravenna within the Loggetta Lombardesca, part of the historic Santa Maria in Porto abbey complex.

Yes, contemporary programming is a major focus, though the collections span multiple centuries and include varied media.

Most visitors spend 60-90 minutes, longer if a temporary exhibition strongly interests you.

Yes, because it offers a modern perspective on mosaic as a living art form rather than only a historic one.

Yes, temporary shows are a key part of the museum’s identity and can significantly change what you see.

It’s a cultural and digital innovation hub connected to the museum; even if you don’t attend events, it helps explain MAR’s role as a living civic space.

It can be, especially if you focus on the mosaics and any hands-on or family-oriented programming when available.

It’s not overwhelming in size, which makes it easy to fit into a day alongside other central sights.

Usually you can visit without booking, but it’s sensible to check ahead if there’s a major temporary exhibition or special opening arrangements.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.5 (1,892)

MAR - Museo d'Arte della Città di Ravenna on Via di Roma is a restored monastery turned museum showcasing 20th‑century mosaics alongside notable works such as a statue by Lombardi and a drawing by Klimt; visitors praise its striking mosaic exhibitions, a mix of contemporary and classical pieces, friendly helpful staff, and suggest allocating one to two hours to explore the collection.

Fran C

a week ago

"The exhibitions were amazing. The incredible artworks that can be done with mosaics is impressive. I really recommend it to tie the whole Rave aitinerary!..."

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Tomson Chan

a month ago

"Beautiful artwork and museum with lots of mosaics arts. Worth a visit say allow 1 to 2 hours. Recommend"

Elvira Elzinga

4 months ago

"Really cool modern art museum combined with classical art. I loved the contemporary mosaic exhibition. Very cool to visit if you have the chance. Wespent about two hours here...."

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For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

MAR works best for families when you keep the visit focused and visual. Start with the cloister and treat it like a calm “exploration space,” then head to the contemporary mosaics, which tend to hold attention better than long runs of paintings for younger visitors.

If your family enjoys structured activities, look out for family programming or workshops when available, since the museum’s broader mission often includes educational experiences. Planning a snack stop immediately afterward helps keep energy steady and makes the museum feel like part of a relaxed day rather than a test of patience.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

For couples, MAR is a gentle, stylish change of pace from Ravenna’s grand basilicas. The cloister setting has an understated elegance, and the museum’s quieter rhythm can feel like a shared pause in the middle of a sightseeing day.

It also pairs naturally with a slow afternoon in the centre: museum, a coffee or aperitivo, then an unhurried dinner. If you enjoy contemporary culture while travelling, MAR is an easy way to add something current and creative to a city that’s often experienced primarily through ancient masterpieces.

Budget Travelers

MAR can be a smart budget choice because it provides a substantial indoor visit without the intensity of lining up for multiple monument entries. If you're prioritising what to pay for, this is a good “value hour” that still feels distinctly Ravenna because of its mosaic holdings.

To keep costs down, build a walkable day that links MAR with free city wandering, piazzas, and street-level architecture, then choose one or two paid UNESCO interiors as your main splurges. That balance often delivers the best overall experience for the least spend.

History Buffs

History-focused travellers often appreciate MAR for context rather than spectacle. The building itself links you to Ravenna's later phases of development, and the museum's collections can help bridge the narrative between the late antique city and the modern cultural identity Ravenna has built around art and mosaic.

It’s also a useful stop if you want to understand how “heritage” functions in real life. MAR’s role in preservation, programming, and civic engagement shows how a city doesn’t just keep history behind glass; it actively interprets it, funds it, and uses it to shape contemporary cultural life.

Nearby Attractions to the MAR – Ravenna Art Museum

Basilica of San Vitale: A world-famous mosaic interior and one of Ravenna's most essential UNESCO monuments.
Mausoleum of Galla Placidia: A small, luminous mosaic jewel box with a starry dome that feels unforgettable in person.
Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra: An underground site showcasing remarkable floor mosaics from Ravenna's past domestic life.
National Museum of Ravenna: A strong companion visit for artefacts and collections that deepen the city's historical context.
Dante's Tomb: A quiet central landmark that adds a literary layer to a Ravenna walking day.

The MAR – Ravenna Art Museum appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Ravenna!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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