Ravenna has the greatest Byzantine mosaics outside Istanbul. The tradition never died: master mosaicists still work here, and they teach.
Plan this experience →Workshops: Koko Mosaico (Via Argentario, €80–120/half-day, make a small mosaic to take home), CISIM (Centro Internazionale di Studi per l’Insegnamento del Mosaico, multi-day courses €200–500), Annafietta Mosaic School (€90/3h). What you do: learn the Byzantine/Ravennate technique: cutting tesserae (small marble/glass cubes) with a hammer and hardie, setting them in cement, creating simple designs (flowers, geometric patterns, fish). Take home: your mosaic (15x15cm) in 3h. Must-see: Basilica di San Vitale (€12 combo ticket) and Mausoleo di Galla Placidia — the mosaics that inspired your workshop.