Ravenna is the capital city of the Province of Ravenna, located in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. It currently has a population of 156,475 inhabitants as of 2026 and ranks as the 24th-largest city in Italy. Notably, it is the second-largest city in the country by area, covering 653.82 km2.
Historically, Ravenna served as a significant political center for several empires. It was the capital of the Western Roman Empire during the fifth century A.D. until its collapse in 476. Following this period, it functioned as the capital of the Ostrogothic Kingdom and subsequently served as the seat of the Byzantine Exarchate of Ravenna.