Home / Italy (NEW) / Ravenna / Pomposa, Classe 38
- Pomposa vineyards
Our visit to Ravenna started in Pomposa. On a lovely misty morning. - 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
The front facade of the church, showing two griffins eating the fruits from the tree of life. - Pomposa Abbey
What a lovely peacock. A peacock is apparently considered incorruptible, representing the yearning for heavenly beatitude. - Pomposa Abbey
Frescoes in the refractory. - Pomposa Abbey
Frescoes in the refractory by Pietro da Rimini (probably 1318). This parts depicts Last Supper. Note the circular table (pre-renaissance depiction) and the animal they are eating. What is it?!? - Pomposa Abbey
Another fresco from the refractory: The Redeemer between the Virgin Mary and the barefoot Baptist, Benedict (left) and Guido di Pomposa (right) by Pietro da Rimini (probably 1318). - 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
The Crucifixion in the Chapter House, by a direct student of Giotto, probably between 1310 and 1318. - Pomposa Abbey
Another fresco in the Chapter House, this one depicts Saint Benedict. - Pomposa Abbey
The church is full of 14th century Bolognese school frescoes, depicting Old Testament, New Testament and the Apocalypse. - 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
Another Last supper, this one in the church. And again, I wonder which animal they are eating. - Pomposa Abbey
Ah, the apocalypse. One of the seven-headed beasts. But the real beast here is you, Alesso Bersano. - Pomposa Abbey
The unfortunate ending of Saint Eustace and his family in a brazen bull. Yes, this was a torture device: one was locked in the bronze bull and then fire was lit underneath the bull... - Pomposa Abbey
Some of the frescoes are even older, from the 10th century. - 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
The Last Judgement. The patriarchs of the Church welcome the souls of Limbo towards bliss. By Andrea de Bruni. - Pomposa Abbey
The Last Judgement. The Lucifer. Nuff said. - Classe
Buffalo by Davide Rivalta. In front of the Basilica of Sant' Apollinare in Classe. - Classe
Basilica of Sant' Apollinare in Classe was consecrated on 9 May 549 by the bishop Maximian. - Classe
A lot of mosaics were ruined (probably by the Venetians), but the apse and arch remained. We're talking 6th century here. On the top is Christ in a medallion with the Evangelists' symbols, underneath twelve lambs and two palms on the sides. - Classe
Saint Apollinaris praying with 12 little lambs. His coat is covered with golden bees, the symbol of eloquence. Wonderful background decorations, flowers, rocks, plants, birds... - Classe
The 6th century abse depicts: - a cross on the sky with 99 stars - the hand of God - Elijah and Moses - three lambs representing Saint Peter, Saint James and Saint John. - Classe
The Hand of God. In the old times, depicting God was unacceptable, so only his hand was shown. - Classe
A 7th century mosaic depicting Abraham, Abel and Melchisedek around an altar. And the Hand. Why are there hinges on the curtains? - Classe
I took this picture because of the lion. Then I noticed the bull... Holy cow, what did they do to its face? - Classe
Moses in the sea of clouds. - Classe
Saint Elijah. - Classe
What an idyllic scene. - Classe
More idyllic scenery. Not all of it is completely original though, but I don't know which part is and which isn't. - Classe
My guess would be that the difference in green background also means the border between the original and restored mosaics. - Classe
What a lovely detail. - Classe
Saint Ursus, the bishop of Ravenna ca. 405-431. He built the Orthodox Baptistery. - Classe
All around the church are images of bishops. I guess this one became a pope. - Classe
One of the many 5th-8th century sarcophagi. This one, called the sarcophagus of the twelve apostles, is one of the oldest ones from the 5th century. - Classe
The later sarcophagi were decorated with simpler patterns, like these immortal peacocks drinking from the fountain of life. - Classe
The church windows are made of alabaster.