Built in the 13th century (1269) together with the convent of the Dominicans, the building enlarged a former early-medieval church located near the Padenna canal, a long watercourse connected to the Po river (coinciding with today’s Via Cavour). The appealing brick-built facade reached the actual size in 1374 but remained unfinished. In the facade, it is still possible to see pointed arches on the sides of the door (three on each side), which were used as burial places.

During the 18th century, the building was completely renewed on a design of architect Gianbattista Contini. Changes were carried out both on the interior and the exterior of the structure, that remained the house of the Dominican Hermits until 1797, when it became a parish church until 1963.

Even if it is still consecrated, the church is not used for worship anymore. It is sometimes used as an exhibition hall, but for most of the time is closed awaiting restoration works.

The Church of San Domenico features a single nave with six chapels (three on each side) and a seventh one on the left of the apse.

Fragments of medieval fresco-paintings are preserved in the sacristy and in the bell tower chapel. The church also hosts Late Renaissance and neoclassical works by major painters from Ravenna, such as Camillo Morigia, Andrea Barbiani, Luca Longhi and Nicolò Rondinelli.

DISCOVER MORE

• Dante’s Tomb (Tomba di Dante)
• Basilica of San Francesco (where his funeral was held)
• Dante Museum (Museo Dantesco)
• The Zone of Silence (Zona del Silenzio)
• Annual Dante Celebrations (especially around September 14th)

Ravenna, a city of mosaics, silence, and timeless beauty, is also the final resting place of Italy’s greatest poet: Dante Alighieri. After a life of exile and literary triumph, Dante spent his last years in Ravenna, where he found refuge, inspiration, and peace.In 1318, Dante arrived in Ravenna under the protection of Guido Novello da Polenta, the city’s lord and a great admirer of his work. It was here that Dante completed the Divine Comedy, one of the greatest masterpieces in world literature. Surrounded by the serenity of Ravenna’s churches, pine forests, and Byzantine monuments, he wrote the final verses of Paradiso.

Dante died in Ravenna in 1321, shortly after returning from a diplomatic mission to Venice. He was buried at the Basilica of San Francesco, and his tomb still stands today—a simple yet powerful monument, visited by thousands every year. Despite Florence’s many attempts to reclaim his remains, Ravenna has always protected the memory and legacy of its adopted son.

Visitors to Ravenna can follow Dante’s footsteps along a dedicated path: from the Dante Museum to the Tomb, through the silent gardens of the Zona del Silenzio, where time seems suspended. Every September, the city commemorates the poet with cultural events, readings, and exhibitions that celebrate his enduring influence.

To walk through Ravenna is to walk through Dante’s final chapter—a place where poetry, art, and history meet in quiet harmony.

” Romagna tua non è, e non fu mai, sanza guerra ne’ cuor de’ suoi tiranni; ma ‘n palese nessuna or vi lasciai.

Ravenna sta come stata è molt’anni: l’aguglia da Polenta la si cova, sì che Cervia ricuopre co’ suoi vanni.

La terra che fé già la lunga prova e di Franceschi sanguinoso mucchio, sotto le branche verdi si ritrova.

E ‘l mastin vecchio e ‘l nuovo da Verrucchio, che fecer di Montagna il mal governo, là dove soglion fan d’i denti succhio.

Le città di Lamone e di Santerno conduce il lioncel dal nido bianco, che muta parte da la state al verno.

E quella cu’ il Savio bagna il fianco, così com’ella sie’ tra ‘l piano e ‘l monte tra tirannia si vive e stato franco. “

(Dante Alighieri “Divina Commedia, Inferno, XXVII canto”)