Why Dante’s tomb is in Ravenna not Florence

If you’ve ever wondered why Italy’s most famous poet isn’t buried in Florence, you’re not alone. Dante Alighieri, author of The Divine Comedy, was born and raised in Florence. However, he died in exile. You'll find Dante's tomb in Ravenna, a city that took him in when his own turned its back.

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This week (Thursday 10th April), Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla are visiting Dante’s tomb as part of their official trip to Italy. It’s a fitting tribute, given that Charles is known for his love of literature, and Dante’s story is one of poetry, politics, and a very long grudge.

Dante was exiled from Florence in 1302 for political reasons and never allowed to return. For years, he moved between courts and cities, finally settling in Ravenna in 1318. There, under the protection of Guido da Polenta, he finished the Divine Comedy and died three years later.

Florence eventually changed its mind about him; too late in the day. In the 1500s, it tried to reclaim his remains, but the monks in Ravenna hid them in a wall. They stayed there until 1865. Today, Dante lies in a small but beautiful marble tomb just next to the Basilica of San Francesco in Ravenna.

Dante's tomb in Ravenna

Florence continues to honour him with statues, street names, and even a lamp. Each year, the city sends olive oil to Ravenna to keep the flame in his tomb burning. But the poet himself? He’s staying put.

Back of Dante's statue in Piazza Santa Croce, Florence

So if you’re walking past the so-called “Dante’s House” in Florence and wondering where he really ended up, now you know. His story doesn’t just belong to Florence. It belongs to all of Italy, and this week, to a foreign royal audience too.