The Virgin Mary

Ravenna

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May 20th 2008
20 May 2008 We made an early start in the pouring rain with full waterproof gear in order to beat the coach parties. But we snuck in with the first group at the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia and got a free English speaking guide. In order to reach the Cathedral Baptistery we had to detour round huge puddles. At the time that it was built total immersion was practiced and a huge font occupies ... read more

Europe » Italy

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Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the city-states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor EMMANUEL II. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI establis... ... read more