- Pomposa Abbey
What a lovely peacock. A peacock is apparently considered incorruptible, representing the yearning for heavenly beatitude. - Pomposa Abbey
This Benedictine monastery dates probably to around 600. It was definitely already big and super important in 874. It is built like a typical Romanesque abbey. The campanile is from 1063. - Pomposa Abbey
Frescoes in the refractory. - Pomposa Abbey
The Chapter House with early 14th century frescoes by a direct pupil of Giotto. In the center is Saint Guido, the Abbot of Pomposa (970-1046), on the left Saint Paul and on the right a pair of prophets, Moses and David. Note the horns on Moses :-) - Pomposa Abbey
Another fresco in the Chapter House, this one depicts Saint Benedict. - Pomposa Abbey
In the apse, Christ sits on the throne surrounded by musician angels and saints. Below is the procession opened by the Virgin Mary with St. Benedict. The Abbot Andrea, who ordered the work in 1351 is kneeling down on the left. The bottom part tells the story of Saint Eustace. Fresoes by Vitale da Bologna. - Pomposa Abbey
Ah, the Last Judgment. The Hell is interesting as there are people actually being tortured. Often they are just being taken by all sorts of cute creatures. - Pomposa Abbey
Some of the frescoes are even older, from the 10th century. - Pomposa Abbey
The church is full of 14th century Bolognese school frescoes, depicting Old Testament, New Testament and the Apocalypse. - Beatrice
Super-Beatrice by LeDiesis - Ravenna
Wonderful street signs all over the town. - Ravenna
What a wonderful depiction of Dante! - Ravenna
- Ravenna
After two days of sightseeing in the town, one recognises almost all the street-sign mosaics. - Mecato Coperto
The old market is now occupied with modern restaurants and bars. - Ravenna
Spirito e Bellezza by Luisa Valentini (2013) - Casa Matha
Casa Matha is a guild of fishermen, one of the oldest in the world. - Marlene Dietrich
Super-Marlene by LeDiesis - Ravenna
- Basilica of San Francesco
Initially built in 450, rebuilt in the 9th and 10th century. Handed over to the Franciscans in 1261, now the basilica is dedicated to Saint Francis. - Quadrarco di Braccioforte
The sarcophagi date from the 5-6th century and belong to rich Ravenna families. This one is of the Pignatta family. - Basilica of San Francesco
The submerged crypt in the basilica, dating from the 9-10th century. There are living fish in the crypt! - Basilica of San Francesco
Alabaster windows in the basilica. - Ravenna
Not a window, actually a roof. - Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia was built between 425 and 450. Galla Placidia was the daughter of the Roman emperor Theodosius I. - Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
My favourite part of the ceiling. So intense. Unfortunately, the illumination of the whole mausoleum was almost nonexistent... - Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
Deer drinking water. At first I thought they were eating watermelons :-) And then there are two more apostles around the chi-rho-alpha-omega sign. - Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
Either Saint Lawrence or Saint Vincent. And come fantastic decorative mosaics. - Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
Each side has two apostles and a pair of doves. - Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
Above the entrance, there is the mosaic of the Good Shepherd. - Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
Plenty of sarcophagi around here. - Basilica of San Vitale
The mosaics here are just insanely beautiful. - Basilica of San Vitale
What a difference between the two sides! Separated by the great arch, decorated with fifteen mosaic medallions: Jesus Christ in the centre, the twelve Apostles and Saint Gervasius and Saint Protasius, the sons of Saint Vitale. - DSC 4622
Abel sacrificing a lamb to God, and the King of Salem, Melchizedek, offering a loaf of bread. And another God's hand coming from the blue and pink clouds. Heh, Abel has a cottage and Melchizedek a palace. - Basilica of San Vitale
More apostles. And more fish :-) - Basilica of San Vitale
The apostles, decorated with fish! Fish! - Basilica of San Vitale
Part of the Sanctuary. - Basilica of San Vitale
The richness of the mosaic work in crazy. Down to the tiniest details! - Basilica of San Vitale
Probably the most famous mosaic in the church: Empress Theodora, the wife of Justinian I, holding the Eucharistic vessel. On the right might be Antonina, Belisarius’ wife, and other unnamed women, on the left is a court official and an eunuch. The detailing on the dresses (including the Tree Magi!) is insane. - Basilica of San Vitale
The mosaic depicting Emperor Justinian, who ruled the Roman Empire between 527 and 565, and his court. On the right side are the bishop Maximian, a deacon with the Bible, and a subdeacon with a thurible. On the left are probably generals Belisarius and Narses, and some soldiers. Justinian wears red and purple shoes, which only emperors were allowed to wear. And he stands on someone's foot :-) - Basilica of San Vitale
The Lamb of God, supported by four angels standing on blue globes. And plenty of animals, my favourite being peacocks. - Basilica of San Vitale
A young Christ, two angles, St Vitalis on the left and bishop Ecclesius on the right. The bishop offers the church to the Christ, while St Vitalis, covering his hands with a veil, receives the crown of martyrdom. Christ holds a scroll closed with the seven seals of the Apocalypse. - Basilica of San Vitale
Under the arch: Abraham and Sarah feeding the three strangers at Mambre and the Sacrifice of Isaac, with God's hand stopping Abraham from killing Isaac. Over the arch: the prophet Jeremiah, two angels holding a shield, Moses receiving the Law on Mt Sinai. - Basilica of San Vitale
The construction started in 526 on the orders of Bishop Ecclesius of Ravenna. Bishop Maximian completed the construction in 547. The building is octagonal, with the entrances next to the altar. So... strange. - Ravenna
Wonderful street signs all over the town. - Madonna del Granduca
Madonna del Granduca by Rafael by Blub. - Dante's grave
Dante was exiled from Florence and died in Ravenna in 1321. His bones were moved (and hidden!) multiple times, but this tomb is quite recent, with Cardinal Gonzaga's coat of arms. - Dante's grave
The zone around Dante's grave is the silent zone. But there are daily readings of the Divine Comedy. - Dante's grave
The city of Florence wants the bones of Dante, but Ravenna is not giving them :-) But Florence are providing the oil for the votive lamp.