-
Côte-d'Or
No wonder these (and nearby) parts are called Côte-d'Or. -
Château de Chenonceau
Another magninficent fireplace, this one is in the Salon Louis XIV. The salamander and the ermine are the symbols of Francis I and his wife Claude of France. -
Château de Chenonceau
Chambre de Louise de Lorraine, the black room. She was mourning the death of her husband Henri III. -
Château de Chambord
The queen's bedchamber is furnished as a 17th century bedroom. -
Château de Chambord
Louis XIV's ceremonial apartment. While Francoise's bedroom looked cosy, this one is too grand for my liking. -
Mont Dol
Mont Dol has been inhabited since Neanderthal period. Currently there's Notre Dame de l’Espérance and the Notre Dame tower, inaugurated in 1857. -
Mont Saint-Michel
I am fascinated by 13th century statues, my kids by 19th century swords. Made by Mellerio from Paris in 1877. -
Mont Saint-Michel
Replica of Saint Michael’s crown, made by Mellerio from Paris in the 20th century. The original was stolen. -
Côte de granit rose
A walk along the Côte de granit rose at sunset, somewhere between Ploumanac'h and Trégastel. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
The Arian Baptistery
More unidentified apostles. Are we supposed to tell them apart based only on their beards? Another mystery are the (greek?) letters on their coats. -
The Arian Baptistery
The medallion shows the young Christ in the middle, river Jordan on the left (with red crab claws?) and John the Baptist on the right. Above Christ is a dove (the Holy Spirit). One does not often see a naked Christ. -
The Arian Baptistery
Only the ceiling remains decorated - but what decoration it is! Basically: the baptism of Jesus and twelve apostles. -
The Arian Baptistery
Saints Peter and Paul lead a procession of five apostles towards the cross on an empty throne (representing God the Father?). In this Arian baptistery, the Father is above the Christ, possibly indicating the Arian beliefs. Saint Paul on the left, Saint Peter on the right. The rest I don't know. -
The Arian Baptistery
As always, beautiful decorations everywhere. -
The Orthodox Baptistery
Saint Andrew -
The Orthodox Baptistery
Saint Bartholomew -
The Orthodox Baptistery
Saint Jacob -
The Orthodox Baptistery
Lush decorations -
The Orthodox Baptistery
The central image depicts the Baptism of Christ, Saint John the Baptist on the left and a small Jordan on the right. The bearded heads are not original though. And the apostles are named. Funnily, some have golden tunics with white pallium and other vice versa. -
The Orthodox Baptistery
What a masterpiece this is! Multiple circles of mosaic depict the central baptism, followed by the twelve (named!) apostles and the outer circle shows richly decorated thrones and altars. This mosaic is a few decades older than the Arian one. -
The Orthodox Baptistery
Another empty throne, awaiting Christ's Second Coming. -
The Orthodox Baptistery
Hm, is this an optical illusion? Because sometimes I see birds and sometimes fish. -
Museo Arcivescovile
The entrance to the museum. -
Saint Andrew's Chapel
Six female martyrs: Daria, Perpetua and Felicitas. On the other side are Eufemia, Eugenia, and Cecilia. -
Saint Andrew's Chapel
The dome is decorated with four angels pointing towards IX, and the four symbols of the evangelists. -
Saint Andrew's Chapel
Depiction of young Christ with Saint Peter and Saint Paul. -
Museo Arcivescovile
Cross of Agnellus, details of the silver medallions. -
Museo Arcivescovile
The cathedral, the baptistry on the right, and the Museo Arcivescovile on the left. -
Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra
Dance of the Seasons (original), the musician. -
Sant’Apollinare Nuovo
The Three Magi, Balthasar, Melchior and Caspar. They carry the gifts (gold, frankincense and myrrh) and walk towards the Bethlehem star. -
Sant’Apollinare Nuovo
Bottom: Theoderic's palace and the town of Ravenna (PALATIVM and CIVITAS RAVENN). Middle: more unnamed prophets and evangelists. Top: the way of the cross, Resurrection: the women at the tomb, The road to Emmaus, Jesus appearing to the apostles. -
Sant’Apollinare Nuovo
Top row is the life of Jesus, middle row the saints, prophets and evangelists, bottom row are the famous processions. Apparently Pope Gregory ordered the mosaics to be blackened, not to distract the worshipers. -
Sant’Apollinare Nuovo
The town of Classe (only partially original). Middle: unknown prophets and evangelists. Top: The paralytic at Bethany, The Gerasene Demoniac, The paralytic at Capernaum, The Sheep and the Goats This side shows a much younger beardless Jesus. -
Sant’Apollinare Nuovo
Let's go: bottom line: Saints Valeria, Crispina, Lucia, Caecilia, Eulalia, Agnes, Agatha, Pelagia and Euphemia. middle: unnamed saints, prophets, evangelists... carrying scrolls or codices. top: the woman at the well, the woman with the flow of blood, Jesus cures the blind, (partial) the calling of Peter and Andrew. -
Sant’Apollinare Nuovo
The ceiling. -
Sant’Apollinare Nuovo
The cylindrical campanile dates to the 9th-10th century. -
Classe
Moses in the sea of clouds. -
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
What an idyllic scene. -
Classe
Saint Elijah. -
Classe
A 7th century mosaic depicting Abraham, Abel and Melchisedek around an altar. And the Hand. Why are there hinges on the curtains? -
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
Saint Ursus, the bishop of Ravenna ca. 405-431. He built the Orthodox Baptistery. -
Olive tree
Sculpture of an olive tree by Constantinos Valaes in Galerie Lefakis in Saint-Paul-de-Vence -
St Francis Xavier church
The interior is basically the same since the 17th century. With an interesting contrast between black/gold/white. -
St Jakob
Saint James the Less with some tool, with which he had been killed. -
Saint Bartholomew
Just Saint Bart carrying and knife and his skin around ... -
Leoben
A very intricate - almost fractalesque coat of arms.