Sorry this is a long entry but the mosaics were spendid.
After a really good night sleep and breakfast at the hotel we started our mosaic trek.
First stop, Battistero Neoniano which is the most ancient monument in the city. The octagonal brick structure was erected at the end of the 4th or beginning of the 5th century and finished at the end of the 5th century, at which time the mosaic decorations were added. The octagonal design of the building symbolizes the seven days of the week plus the Day of the Resurrection and Eternal Life. Here is a picture of the outside.
The ceiling mosaic depicts John the Baptist baptizing Jesus standing waist high in the Jordan River. To one side stands the personification of the Jordan river, with a reed in one hand and a garment in the other. The twelve apostles surround the center mosaic. Here are pictures of the dome.
Here are other pictures from inside the battistero.
Then we went to the Museo Arcivescoville. In the museum relics of early Christian Ravenna are preserved, including fragments of mosaic from the first cathedral church, and the chapel of Sant’Andrea, dating from the Gothic kingdom. We couldn’t take pictures but here are a couple I downloaded from the internet. The first is an ivory bishop’s chair and the second and third are mosaics from the chapel of Sant’Andrea.
Our last stop of the morning was Basilica Sant’Apollinare Nuovo which was erected in the first quarter of the 6th century. Here are pictures of the church and the mosaics.
After that we stopped in a workshop where they made mosaics and a very nice lady told us about how mosaic are made and gave me the name of a glass shop in Venice that I hope we can go to.
We thought about about having some lunch but neither of us was very hungry so mom had a gelato and I had an apple. We hung out in the room for a little while to make sure mom’s stomach was ok and then headed to the last two mosaic locations.
First, we went to Mausoleo di Galla Placidia. Here are pictures from here.
Last and certain not least, actually it’s considered the best, was Basilica di San Vitale which was consecrated in 548. Even the floors were amazing.
After touring we came back to the room to rest up for dinner. 😉
We had a nice dinner at a restaurant recommended by the fellow at the hotel. After dinner we came back and packed up because we are going to San Marino tomorrow.