Dante's remains were hidden inside a wall by Franciscan friars in 1519 and were not rediscovered until 1865 during construction work.
During World War II, Dante's bones were removed and buried in a nearby mound of earth to protect them from potential Allied bombing raids.
The interior of the tomb features a votive lamp that is fueled annually by oil donated by the city of Florence, which historically exiled the poet.
The inscription on the sarcophagus, 'Dantis poetae sepulcrum', was composed by Bernardo Canaccio in 1366.
The tomb is situated in a designated silence zone where vehicle traffic is restricted to maintain the tranquility of the memorial area.
Dante's Tomb is a neoclassical mausoleum located in Ravenna, housing the remains of the poet Dante Alighieri. Designed by architect Camillo Morigia and completed in 1781, it stands on the site of a 15th-century tomb. The structure features a small temple with a cupola, containing a 1483 marble bas-relief by Pietro Lombardo. Inside, the urn holds the bones of the author of the Divine Comedy, which were hidden by monks for centuries to prevent their return to Florence. The area is officially designated as the 'Zona del Silenzio' to preserve a respectful environment for the memorial. Adjacent to the tomb is the Franciscan Cloister complex, which contains the Dante Museum.
The main entrance archway under the 'Danti Alagherii Poetae Sepulcrum' inscription.
Visit during the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds that gather during peak daylight hours.
Combine the visit with the adjacent Dante Museum to view artifacts related to his life and the history of his remains.
Stay silent while approaching the tomb, as this is a local respect protocol.
Do not mistake the nearby Dante Museum for the actual tomb structure; they are two separate buildings within the same complex.
Maintain silence, as the surrounding area is designated as the 'Zone of Silence'.
