NIGEL'S RAMBLES: A Million Little Stones. Mosaics in Ravenna

I was in Ravenna to see the jazz guitarist Pat Metheny in concert, repeating a trip I made to see the same artist in 1991. So, I decided to make a day of it and see the famous early Christian mosaics that adorn several buildings in the city.

Mausoleum of Theodoric ,Ravenna

These mosaics amazingly date from the fifth and sixth century after Christ. The town at this time was the capital of the collapsing Western Roman empire before falling into the hands of the Goths who were then replaced by the Byzantines all in the space of a hundred years.

Basilica di san Francesco, Ravenna

On seeing the mosaics and the buildings that house them, it is difficult to believe that they are almost 1500 years old.

The first place I visited was the Mausoleum of Theodoric a barbarian Goth king. Unusually it is built in stone and not brick like the other historic buildings in Ravenna. The roof is a single piece of stone brought by boat from Istria. There is not much to see in this building.

Mausoleum of Theodoric, Ravenna

Mausoleum of Theodoric ,Ravenna

The first mosaics I saw were in the Battistero Neoniano built in the fifth century. The Roman influence on the decorations is very strong. These are some of the oldest mosaics in Ravenna.

Battistero Neoniano ,Ravenna

The nearby Bishops palace has a small museum, but most of all contains the Cappella di S. Andrea with its ceiling decorated with birds and was the only orthodox monument built during Theodoric’s reign. Photography was forbidden but I managed to sneak a few shots.

Cappella di S. Andrea

The Galla Placidia is from the outside a rather unassuming little building. The beauty of the mosaics inside this tomb to a Roman woman takes one’s breath away on entering. The starry sky is just amazing. Unfortunately it was incredibly crowded inside.

Galla Placidia,Ravenna

Next to the Galla Placidia is San Vitale is a later Byzanite masterpiece which occupies just a corner of this church. I loved the expressive portraits of the Byzantine Emperor Giustiniano and his court.

San Vitale ,Ravenna

Time for lunch. Being near the sea, it had to be fish or rather some little fish arranged on a skewer.

The fist afternoon stop was Sant’ Apollinare dates from when the Goth Theodoric ruled Ravenna. Two massive freezes line the two sides of the nave. Ravenna in these times lived a sort of Apartheid with the Roman Byzantines on one side of town and the Arian Goths on the other. Each had their own religious buildings.

Sant’ Apollinare ,Ravenna

Nearby is the Battistero degli Ariani a smaller simpler version of the Roman Neoniano Baptistry. The central decorations of the two are very similar. The lack of crowds present in the other sites made the visit here more enjoyable.

Battistero degli Ariani ,Ravenna

Ravenna is not just mosaics. To avoid a spring shower, I dived into the city art gallery. I liked the curious seagulls made of of recycled materials.

The Basilica di san Francesco has a curious crypt. It is filled with water and goldfish swim above Roman mosaics. One can peep inside through a small window below the alter. One of the most fun things I saw that day.

Basilica di san Francesco

I had some time to waste so I queued up to peep inside the “Tomba di Dante” just to be able I have seen Dante’s tomb. Tombs and Cemetery’s are an important part of life for my Italian friends. So I can boast that I have paid my respects to Dante.

Tomba di dante, Ravenna

A nice surprise was a visit to the city museum. I saw some super Roman sculpture.

Museo Nazionale, Ravenna

After long relax over a drink at the bar it was time for the Concert. Metheny played fantastically just like the last time I saw him in 91. All that remained was the long drive back to Reggio.

NIGEL'S RAMBLES

Thursday, May 11, 2017

A Million Little Stones. Mosaics in Ravenna

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