Unfortunately, I had to leave Venice. While I was there, I discovered that a new exhibit about painters who lived in Paris in the twenties was opening soon in Ferrara. I had one night of unplanned stay and so decided to head South.
I made my first stop in a town I first visited in 1971 and again in 1980. Ravenna is not well known amongst international tourists and yet it should be. There is a lot to see here.
I first stopped at the Basilica San Vitale. This, I believe, is the oldest church I have ever visited. It was consecrated in 547 (I did not forget the 1 in front!). It’s design is octagonal as most early churches were and the walls are feet thick. However, it is an unbelievable edifice!
The inside is sparsely decorated, but there is a very nice mosaic right over the altar. In a place like this, it almost seems as if time has stopped. I can only imagine the 1000’s of people who have come here over the many many years to pray, to gain some comfort, to believe and to admire. One can easily understand the power that the church had at that time considering the available choices.
A detail of the extremely intricate mosaic over the altar.
Next to the Basilica is the Mausoleo di Galla Placidia – the half-sister of Roman Emperor Honorius who reigned between 395 and 423 and died in Ravenna. I could not find out when it was built, but probably in the first half of 400AD! It is small and cramped, and poorly lit, but quite exquisit… Galla Placidia is not actually burried here (she died in Rome) and no one is sure who was intended to be in the three sarcofagi (their contents were apparently burnt in the 1500’s).
You know you are in a “special” place when the “New Church” was built in the 6th century! That is the case of the Basilica di Sant’Appolinare Nuovo.
Continue reading “Northern Italy – Part 2”
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