Ravenna's UNESCO Mosaic Churches: A Guide to Byzantine Masterpieces
Ravenna, Italy, is home to eight monuments recognized by UNESCO for their remarkable early Christian and Byzantine mosaics. The Basilica di San Vitale, commissioned by Archbishop Ecclesius and financed by banker Giuliano Argentario between 525-526 AD, was consecrated in 547 AD by Bishop Maximian during Emperor Justinian's reign. It showcases mosaics depicting Empress Theodora, Emperor Justinian, and Bishop Maximian. The Mausoleo di Galla Placidia, constructed in the early 5th century, features a ceiling adorned with stars and mosaics symbolizing eternal life. The Basilica di Sant'Apollinare in Classe, consecrated in 549 AD, includes mosaics of Saint Apollinare. Additionally, the Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, erected by Theodoric, displays the oldest mosaic cycle. Other notable sites are the Battistero Neoniano, Cappella Arcivescovile, Mausoleo di Teodorico, and Battistero degli Ariani.
Key facts
- Ravenna has eight UNESCO World Heritage monuments with early Christian and Byzantine mosaics.
- Basilica di San Vitale was commissioned in 525-526 AD and consecrated in 547 AD.
- Mausoleo di Galla Placidia was built in the early 5th century by Empress Galla Placidia.
- Basilica di Sant'Apollinare in Classe was consecrated in 549 AD and is the largest paleo-Christian basilica.
- Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo was built by Theodoric and contains the oldest mosaic cycle.
- Battistero Neoniano dates from the 5th century and has the oldest baptismal scene.
- Mausoleo di Teodorico is made entirely of Aurisina stone with a monolithic dome.
- Battistero degli Ariani was built in the late 5th century for Arian worship.
Entities
Artists
- Valentina Muzi
- Carl Gustav Jung
- Ecclesius
- Giuliano Argentario
- Massimiano
- Giustiniano
- Teodora
- Galla Placidia
- Teodosio
- Onorio
- Valentiniano III
- Teodorico
- Andrea Agnello
- San Paolo
- San Pietro
- San Giovanni Battista
- Apollinare
- Barbara Liverani
Institutions
- UNESCO
- Basilica di San Vitale
- Mausoleo di Galla Placidia
- Basilica di Sant'Apollinare in Classe
- Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo
- Battistero Neoniano
- Cappella Arcivescovile
- Museo Arcivescovile
- Mausoleo di Teodorico
- Battistero degli Ariani
- MAR – Museo d'Arte della città di Ravenna
- Artribune
- Church of San Vitale
- Sant'Apollinare Nuovo
- Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
- Neonian Baptistery
- Sant'Apollinare in Classe
- San Giovanni Evangelista
- Ravenna Incoming
Locations
- Ravenna
- Italy
- Roma
- Milano
- Firenze
- Napoli
- Matera
- Antiochia
- Efeso
- Costantinopoli
- Treviri
- Aquileia
- Via Argentario 22
- Via San Vitale 17
- Via Romea Sud 224
- Via Roma 52
- Piazza Duomo
- Piazza Arcivescovado
- Via delle Industrie 14
- Vicolo degli Ariani
- Ravenna, Italy
- Adriatic coast
- Constantinople
- Milan