Sights in Ravenna
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Basilica di San Vitale
The Basilica di San Vitale was consecrated in 547 by Archbishop Massimiano. In contrast to the sombre exterior, its interior is awash with colour as the rich greens, golds and blues of the mosaics are bathed in soft yellow sunlight. The mosaics on the side and end walls represent scenes from the Old Testament: to the left, Abraham prepares to sacrifice Isaac in the presence of three angels, while the one on the right portrays the death of Abel and the offering of Melchizedek. Inside the chancel, two magnificent mosaics depict the Byzantine emperor Justinian with San Massimiano and a particularly solemn and expressive Empress Theodora, who was his consort.
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Basilica di Sant’Apollinare in Classe
The brilliant star-spangled apse mosaic of the Basilica di Sant’Apollinare in Classe is a must-see. The basilica, 5km southeast of the city centre, was built in the 6th century on the burial site of Ravenna’s patron saint, who converted the city to Christianity in the 2nd century. To get there take bus 4 or 44 to Classe.
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Battistero degli Ariani
Behind the Basilica dello Spirito Santo, just off Via Diaz, is the Battistero degli Ariani, whose breath-taking dome mosaic depicts the baptism of Christ.
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Basilica di San Vitale, Mausoleo di Galla Placidia & Museo Nazionale
The basilica was consecrated in 547 by Archbishop Massimiano. In contrast to the sombre exterior, its interior is awash with colour as the rich greens, golds and blues of the mosaics are bathed in soft yellow sunlight. The mosaics on the side and end walls represent scenes from the Old Testament: to the left, Abraham prepares to sacrifice Isaac in the presence of three angels, while the one on the right portrays the death of Abel and the offering of Melchizedek. Inside the chancel, two magnificent mosaics depict the Byzantine emperor Justinian with San Massimiano and a particularly solemn and expressive Empress Theodora, who was his consort.
reviewed
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Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo
Originally built by the Goths in the 6th century, the basilica claims some of Ravenna’s most beautiful mosaics. On the right (south) wall, 26 white-robed martyrs are depicted heading towards Christ with his apostles, while on the left, there’s an equally expressive procession of virgins, bearing offerings to the Madonna. Spread along both walls are smaller panels depicting scenes from the life of Christ.
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Dante's Tomb
Italian literary legend Dante Alighieri spent the last 20 years of his life in Ravenna after being kicked out of Florence - to this day Florence supplies the oil for the lamps that burn in his tomb, as penance for exiling him. Dante's Divine Comedy was written in Ravenna, and today Dante's tomb is a reverent place with a wonderful mosaic floor.
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Tomba di Dante
Dante spent the last 19 years of his life in Ravenna, writing much of the Divine Comedy, after Florence expelled him in 1302. As a perpetual act of penance, Florence still supplies the oil for the lamp that burns continually in the Tomba di Dante. Another literary great, Lord Byron, briefly lived in a house on nearby Piazza di San Francesco.
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Mausoleo di Teodorico
This two-storey mausoleum, built in 520, is a considerable feat of construction with its huge blocks of stone uncemented by any mortar, and 300-tonne dome. At the heart of the mausoleum is a Roman basin of porphyry that was recycled as a sarcophagus. Take bus 2 or 5 from the city centre.
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Tomba di Dante
Dante spent the last 19 years of his life in Ravenna, writing much of the Divine Comedy here, after Florence expelled him in 1302. As a perpetual act of penance, Florence still supplies the oil for the lamp that burns continually in his tomb.
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Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra
To the west, not far from the Basilica di San Vitale, the 6th-century floor mosaics at the Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra were unearthed in the early 1990s. Of considerable artistic merit, they are decorated with geometric and floral designs.
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Battistero Neoniano
The domed roof of the Battistero Neoniano holds an impressive set of mosaics depicting the apostles and the baptism of Christ. Thought to have started life as a Roman bathhouse, it was converted into a baptistry in the 5th century.
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Museo Nazionale
The Museo Nazionale is housed in the cloisters of a former Benedictine monastery. There’s a wealth of pottery, bronzes, icons and vestments, plus more Madonna and Child portraits than you can shake a halo at.
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Museo Arcivescovile
The tiny Museo Arcivescovile is well worth a visit for its fine collection of mosaics and an exquisite 6th-century ivory throne.
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Mausoleo di Galla Placidia
The small Mausoleo di Galla Placidia was constructed for Galla Placidia, the half-sister of Emperor Honorius, who initiated construction of many of Ravenna’s grandest buildings. The mosaics here, more muted than those in the basilica, are the oldest in Ravenna.
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