2023 Friday Nov. 10

Marina di Ravenna and Ravenna

We planned to visit the major sites of the outlying area, then return for a lunch at Carlo and Valeria’s home, then visit Ravenna sites in the afternoon. Ravenna is renowned for its splendid and ancient mosaics, and holds a special place in my heart as the home of friends for 67 years. The sites are recognized by UNESCO.

Breakfast at the local cafe.
Cesare Augosto Imperatore. Founder of the port of Classe.
San’Apollinare in Classe. These Byzantine mosaics of the sixth and seventh centuries showcase the bishops on the sides of the church.
The dome highlights the Saint instead of Christ. He is surrounded at the base by 12 sheep, symbolizing the faithful worshippers. Near the center, the three sheep symbolize the three major apostles: Peter, James, and John. In the gold near the top, Moses is in the left and Elijah is on the right. At the very top, the hand of God descends through the gold background. St. Apollinare is the patron Saint of Ravenna and his cloak is covered with golden bees (not visible today) to symbolize his eloquence. His face is the image of Archbishop Maximianus.
The church was consecrated in 549 AD, and was the burial site of San’Apollinare, martyr, patron Saint, and father of Christian Ravenna. Christ is in the center of the cross, withe the Greek word for fish at the top, and “Salus Mundi” (Savior of the World) written at the bottom.
Bishop Eclesius of Ravenna during this time.
The Mausoleum of Theodoric in Ravenna, made from huge square blocks of Austrian stone. The architectural structure is unparalleled in Roman, Early Byzantine, and Byzantine history. Outside it is two decagonal orders one on top of the other. Inside it is a cross-shaped lower level and circular upper level. Theodoric (483-526) built it as his burial site. He was a son of the King of the Ostrogoths and professed the Arian doctrine. In 493 he conquered Ravenna after a siege of three years, beginning a reign of 33 years of peace and prosperity. He built large public works, promoted art and culture, commissioned buildings, and built churches, many of which were later built over. The tomb was built around 520, some suggest it evokes the tomb of Constantine in Constantinople.
The inside cross-shaped interior also has cross icons.
The dome weighs 230 tons, is 1 meter thick, and is 10.76 meters in diameter. Above, there are 12 modillions (perpendicular structures) with apostles’ names.
The possible sarcophagus of Theodoric. In 561 the ruler Justinian had the sarcophagus removed and it is unknown where his grave is. Theodoric died a mysterious death. He had made alliances with major Germanic peoples after the edict of Justinian against heretical cults, including Arianism.
Valeria prepares our lunch (homemade ravioli with pumpkin filling).
Francesca serves our lunch while her father, Carlo, looks on.
Lunch at Valeria and Carlo’s home in Marina di Ravenna.
The Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, consecrated by Bishop Maximian in 547. Construction began in 525 by Bishop Ecclesius while Theodoric was still governing Ravenna.
The interior of the Basilica of San Vitale.
Christ is sitting on a globe dressed in a purple robe like a Byzantine emperor. He is holding a scroll of the seven Seals of Revelation, is escorted by two archangels of Paradise, and is giving San Vitale his crown of martyrdom. On the right, Bishop Ecclesius is offering a model of the church.
The vaulted ceiling is centered with the Divine Lamb supported by four angels, redeeming mankind from original sin through sacrifice. This is clearly a message against the Ostrogoths.
Abraham on the left is preparing to sacrifice his son, Isaac. On the right, Melchizedek is offering God bread and wine.
After General Belisarius conquered Ravenna in 540, contact between Ravenna and Constantinople were renewed. The Basilica of SanVitale proclaims the triumphant return and sovereignty of Justinian with his court and army. Bishop Maximian, who consecrated the basilica, had his image placed in Justinian’s court.
Justinian’s wife, Theodora, shown with her court, looks across at her husband. both she and her husband carry liturgical vessels.
The Basilica was built on a foundation of ancient Roman structures. Columns were shorn off at floor level, leaving designs that were further decorated.
The Tomb of Galla Placida is situated behind the Basilica of San Vitale. It is dated as Late Antiquity (425-450 AD) because of its mosaics and architecture. The building’s outside is a Latin cross plan with a square tower above. Inside is a semisferic dome with uninterrupted decoration. There is a funeral message: the glorious cross is the way to resurrection and eternal life.
The hallway inside and dome is an indigo-blue sky with concentric circles of gold stars.
A beardless Christ as the Good Shepherd Redeemer welcomes Justs (sheep).
Saint Lawrence heads to his martyrdom at the burning grill with an open book and the cross of salvation. The gospels are in the cabinet, giving hope for salvation for mankind.
Two doves drinking from a gushing spring of living water signify true faith in Baptism and Eternal Life.
A couple of deer are drinking from the light blue water of the lake.
Four winged beings announce the second coming of the Savior: winged man, lion, calf, and eagle.
The Neonian Baptistry. It was probably an old Roman bath as the original floor is about three meters below the present level. Bishop Ursus transformed it into the Baptistry in the early 5th century. Bishop Neon decorated it with mosaics after 452 using classic Roman art, and the site has taken his name.
The center of the dome shows John the Baptist baptizing Jesus in the Jordan River. A man to Jesus’s left is named Jordan.
The Baptism is surrounded by the twelve apostles.
An ancient cross from the 7th century.
Below the apostles in a circle around the dome, there are eight small temples. Four of the temples have an open gospel book.
Four other temples have thrones bearing a cross, the symbolic preparation of a throne of zigs for the last judgement.
A mural on the street celebrates Dante Alighieri. Many places claim some relationship with Dante; however, his tomb is in Ravenna.
The Dome of the Duomo in Ravenna.
St. Peter sends Saint Apollinare to Ravenna to convert the city to Christianity, by Filipino Pasquale.

Comments:

Francesca Bazzoni: Wonderfull pages “ravennati” on your blog. Thank you to be with us, again. For all of us it was a special gift. With love, Valeria, Carlo, Matteo, Francesca. 2023/11/19 at 7:05 am

Reply: Thank you, Francesca, for posting from my Italian family. We look forward to being together again soon. You all hold a special place in my heart. 2023/11/19 at 1:43 pm