History of Ravenna

Roman Emperor Honorius , alarmed by threatening armies from the north moved his court to Ravenna, then an obscure town on Romagna coast in 402AD, from Milan. Easy to defend because of marshland. Close to Port of Classis – biggest Roman naval base on Adriatic.
Lots of building under his reaign.
Conquered by Goths in 476. Also Christians and continued to lavishly adorn the city, particularly the Ostrogoth Theodoric.
Theodoric was a member of the Arian cult who believed that, while Christ was the Son of God, he retained his human nature.
Mid 6th century Byzantine forces annexed the city to the Eastern Empire under rule of Constantinople. Byzantine rulers tried to outdo neighbouring states with magnificent buildings.
16th century city sacked and absorbed into Papal states.


There are 8 sites in Ravenna that have been listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.
Following are notes on the 7 that I saw
I have tried to put them in chronological order of construction

Baptistry Neoniano.
Built end 4th Century or beginning 5th. On dome mosaic of baptism of Christ surrounded by 12 apostles.. Bright mosaics highlight Helenistic-Roman influences.
Original floor level has sunk into the marsh.

see 3rd and 4th photo above

Mausoleum of Galla Placida.
450AD
Galla Placida was the half sister of Honorius.
Galla was taken hostage when the Goths came. She married 1 of her kidnappers, Ataulf. Reigned jointly over Gothic kingdom. Ataulf murdered by Romans. She was obliged to marry a Roman general Constantius. Their son, Valentinian III became emperor at 6 and she was regent – ruler again!
.. Small. Light filters through alabaster windows. Mosaics all over walls. Gold stars in ceiling. Romam and naturalistic motifs

Battistero degli Ariani.
5th centuy. Similar to other Baptistry but less flash inside. Baptism of Christ and 12 apostles

Theodoric’s mausoleum
Built 520AD. 10 sided. Follows ancient Syrian funeral monument models. Roofed with 1 single block of Istria stone of 10m diameter. Inside there is a porphyry tub in which it is supposed that he was buried

Basilica di San Vitale.
One of most important monuments of early Christian art.
Started in 521 under Theodoric, finished in 547 under Byzantine Justinian
Eastern, Byzanine, influence dominant.
Based on 2 concentric octagons. Central dome supported by 8 columns. 8 recesses extending from each side, 1 of which is a semi-circular apse covered in mosaics. Design basis for Aghia Sofia in Istanbul built 15 years later ( note those of you who are about to go to Istanbul)
Mosaics of OT guys, JC, apostles, Emperor Justinium and his wife, Theodora. Rivers, trees, animals. Apparently Theodora started life as a child prostitute and circus performer, became a courtesan and then lived with Justinian. He changed the laws so he could marry her. They were both quite ruthless and corrupt.

Basilica di San’Apollinare Nuovo
Named after Ravenna’s first bishop
6th Century church with Greek columns
Has a row of mosaics down each side of church – 22 virgins on the left and 26 male martyrs on the right bearing gifts for Mary and Jesus respectively.
A mosaic near the door shows Theodoric’s palace.

Basilica di San’Apollinare Classe
Built during first half of 6th century. Marvellous mosaics in apse. Marble sarcophagi of former archbishops along side naves. Greek columns. Dominating figure is San Apollinare. Christ represented by cross. Originally on coast, now about 8 km inland.

see first 2 photos above
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