Many mosaics

Europe » Italy » Emilia-Romagna » Ravenna
August 2nd 2006

Published: June 16th 2017

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jc80

01 Mosaics

Mosaics in St Giovanni Evangelista.

Geo: 44.0964, 12.2299

Packed up and left Bologna this morning and caught the train. About an hour later I arrived at Ravenna. I left my luggage at the locker in the train station and set off with my map. Ravenna has many celebrated mosaics from the early Christain and Byzantine area. It was also the capital of the Western Roman Empire. First place I went to was St Giovanni Evangelista. In here there were many old mosaics that were faded and not very colorful. The next stop was the Basilica di S.Apollinare Nuovo. This had heaps of colourful mosaics on the sides of the church. Today wasn't very sunny, which didn't help illuminate the mosaics. On the way to the next place on my map, I saw the Palazzo di Teodorico. It is an old ruin and through the fence I could see a few mosaics. Next I came along to Dante's tomb. He wrote most of his Divine Comedy in Ravenna. Then it was time for a quick snack. So I had some pasta and watched people walk by while I ate.
Next place on my path was an exhibition at the archeological museum. On display were mosaics from a church

02 St Giovanni Evangelista

The outside of the church.

(San Severo) that was recently discovered at nearby Classe (8km away). The church dates back to the 6th century. It was unbelievable how old this stuff was and it was only discovered 40 years ago. Imagine how many more discoveries there are to be made in Europe. Next I went to the Battistero Neoniano. A small bapistry with really amazing mosaics, a pity that half of the interior was covered in scaffolding. Then went to the Episcol Musuem, it was tiny, just a small room the side of a lounge room. The most interesting things were the ivory throne from the 6th century and a round Easter calendar that showed when Easter was for about 100 years.
Then I went to the Domus of Stone Carpets. Another archeological site that was recently discovered. Its a Byztantien Palace 3 metres below road level and from the 6th century. On display are the floor mosaics. They are in pretty good condition.
Have now finally arrived at the apparently the best mosaics of the lot at the Basilica of San Vitale. Yeah, they were pretty good, colourful and lots of gold which reflected off the light. A few metres out of the church

03 Mosaics

Mosaics in the Basilica di S.Apollinare Nuovo.

was the Mausoleum for Galla Placidia. This was the best, a small building with a few tombs and lots of colourful mosaics all in perfect condition. As I was leaving the mausoleum, feeling satisfied with my mission of seeing many mosaics completed, it began to rain and rain. So I took shelter in the basilica for 15 minutes and then walked in the rain to the train station to collect my bags and catch the train.

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