Ravenna

The Chiesa di Santa Giustina is located next to the Duomo di Ravenna. The rotunda was erected in the 17th century - and has a baroque interior.

The Battistero Neoniano (= Baptistry of Neon, Orthodox Baptistry) is the most ancient, still existing structure in Ravenna. The octagon was erected on the site of a Roman bath by Bishop Ursus at the end of the 4th century, as part of The Basilica Ursiana, that was destroyed in 1734, to make room for the Baroque cathedral of today. The baptistery was finished by Bishop Neon at the end of the 5th century, at which time the famous mosaic decorations were added.

In Roman times Ravenna was a lagoon city surrounded by water, with at times up to 50.000 inhabitants. The second largest naval base of the Roman Empire was located here. In the late 5th century, Roman authority in the West dissolved, and Romulus Augustulus was deposed by the general Odoacer in 476. Odoacer ruled as king of Italy for 13 years, but in 489 the eastern emperor Zeno sent the Ostrogoth king Theoderic to reconquer Italy. After losing the Battle of Verona, Odoacer retreated to Ravenna, where he withstood a three-year siege. In 493, Theoderic finally took Ravenna and supposedly killed Odoacer with his own hands. Ravenna became the capital of the Ostrogothic kingdom in Italy. Theodoric died in 526 and various Ostrogothic military leaders took the Kingdom of Italy, but none was really successful. Meanwhile, the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I opposed both Ostrogoth rule. In 535 his general Belisarius invaded Italy and in 540 conquered Ravenna. After the conquest of Italy was completed in 554, Ravenna became the seat of the Byzantine government in Italy. Under Byzantine rule, the archbishop of the Archdiocese of Ravenna held second place in Italy after the pope and played an important role during this period. In 751 Lombard king, Aistulf conquered Ravenna, thus ending Byzantine rule in northern Italy. King Pepin of the Franks attacked the Lombards and Ravenna gradually came under the direct authority of the Popes. Pope Adrian I authorized Charlemagne to take away anything from Ravenna that he liked, and Roman columns, mosaics, statues, and other portable items were taken north to enrich his capital of Aachen. In 1198 Ravenna led a league of Romagna cities against the Emperor. After the war of 1218, the Traversari family was able to impose its rule in the city, but after a short period, Ravenna was returned to the Papal States in 1248 and again to the Traversari until 1275. One of the most illustrious residents of Ravenna at this time was the exiled Florentine poet Dante. In 1441 the city was annexed to the Venetian territories. Already in the early 18th century, there was a church dedicated to St. Justina, where the "Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament" resided. When this church was rededicated, Giovan Francesco Buonamici, who had rebuilt the Cathedral in Baroque style between 1734 and 1745, was commissioned to build a new oratory. The work began in 1747 and was completed in 1750, but the exterior remained unfinished. In 1850 the lantern at the top of the vault was demolished due to structural problems and in 1856 the sober architectural decoration of the exterior was completed. Find more photos from Ravenna in this album www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/album/1330038

The Duomo di Ravenna is the episcopal seat of the bishop of the archdiocese of Ravenna-Cervia. The present Baroque building followed the 18th century demolition of the ancient cathedral, the early 5th century basilica Ursiana. Next to the cylindrical bell tower is - partly seen - the "Battistero Neoniano".

The Battistero Neoniano (= Baptistry of Neon, Orthodox Baptistry) is the most ancient, still existing structure in Ravenna. The octagon was erected on the site of a Roman bath by Bishop Ursus at the end of the 4th century, as part of The Basilica Ursiana, that was destroyed in 1734, to make room for the Baroque cathedral of today. The baptistery was finished by Bishop Neon at the end of the 5th century, at which time the famous mosaic decorations were added.

In Roman times Ravenna was a lagoon city surrounded by water, with at times up to 50.000 inhabitants. The second largest naval base of the Roman Empire was located here. In the late 5th century, Roman authority in the West dissolved, and Romulus Augustulus was deposed by the general Odoacer in 476. Odoacer ruled as king of Italy for 13 years, but in 489 the eastern emperor Zeno sent the Ostrogoth king Theoderic to reconquer Italy. After losing the Battle of Verona, Odoacer retreated to Ravenna, where he withstood a three-year siege. In 493, Theoderic finally took Ravenna and supposedly killed Odoacer with his own hands. Ravenna became the capital of the Ostrogothic kingdom in Italy. Theodoric died in 526 and various Ostrogothic military leaders took the Kingdom of Italy, but none was really successful. Meanwhile, the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I opposed both Ostrogoth rule. In 535 his general Belisarius invaded Italy and in 540 conquered Ravenna. After the conquest of Italy was completed in 554, Ravenna became the seat of the Byzantine government in Italy. Under Byzantine rule, the archbishop of the Archdiocese of Ravenna held second place in Italy after the pope and played an important role during this period. In 751 Lombard king, Aistulf conquered Ravenna, thus ending Byzantine rule in northern Italy. King Pepin of the Franks attacked the Lombards and Ravenna gradually came under the direct authority of the Popes. Pope Adrian I authorized Charlemagne to take away anything from Ravenna that he liked, and Roman columns, mosaics, statues, and other portable items were taken north to enrich his capital of Aachen. In 1198 Ravenna led a league of Romagna cities against the Emperor. After the war of 1218, the Traversari family was able to impose its rule in the city, but after a short period, Ravenna was returned to the Papal States in 1248 and again to the Traversari until 1275. One of the most illustrious residents of Ravenna at this time was the exiled Florentine poet Dante. In 1441 the city was annexed to the Venetian territories. The "Baptistery of Neon" is the most ancient monument remaining in the city, it was partly erected on the site of a Roman bath. The baptistery dates back to the 4th or 5th century when Bishop Orso began the construction of the Cathedral of Ravenna. It is an octagonal brick building. Find more photos from Ravenna in this album www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/album/1330038

The Battistero Neoniano (= Baptistry of Neon, Orthodox Baptistry) is the most ancient, still existing structure in Ravenna. The octagon was erected on the site of a Roman bath by Bishop Ursus at the end of the 4th century, as part of The Basilica Ursiana, that was destroyed in 1734, to make room for the Baroque cathedral of today. The baptistery was finished by Bishop Neon at the end of the 5th century, at which time the famous mosaic decorations were added. At that time, the floor was about 3 metres (!!) lower than it is today, so the original dimensions of the building cannot be seen. The octagonal baptismal font in the center dates to the 15th century.

The Battistero Neoniano (= Baptistry of Neon, Orthodox Baptistry) is the most ancient, still existing structure in Ravenna. The octagon was erected on the site of a Roman bath by Bishop Ursus at the end of the 4th century, as part of The Basilica Ursiana, that was destroyed in 1734, to make room for the Baroque cathedral of today. The baptistery was finished by Bishop Neon at the end of the 5th century, at which time the famous mosaic decorations were added. The ceiling mosaic depicts John the Baptist baptizing Jesus, standing waist high in the Jordan River. A procession of the twelve apostles proceeds around the center.

In Roman times Ravenna was a lagoon city surrounded by water, with at times up to 50.000 inhabitants. The second largest naval base of the Roman Empire was located here. In the late 5th century, Roman authority in the West dissolved, and Romulus Augustulus was deposed by the general Odoacer in 476. Odoacer ruled as king of Italy for 13 years, but in 489 the eastern emperor Zeno sent the Ostrogoth king Theoderic to reconquer Italy. After losing the Battle of Verona, Odoacer retreated to Ravenna, where he withstood a three-year siege. In 493, Theoderic finally took Ravenna and supposedly killed Odoacer with his own hands. Ravenna became the capital of the Ostrogothic kingdom in Italy. Theodoric died in 526 and various Ostrogothic military leaders took the Kingdom of Italy, but none was really successful. Meanwhile, the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I opposed both Ostrogoth rule. In 535 his general Belisarius invaded Italy and in 540 conquered Ravenna. After the conquest of Italy was completed in 554, Ravenna became the seat of the Byzantine government in Italy. Under Byzantine rule, the archbishop of the Archdiocese of Ravenna held second place in Italy after the pope and played an important role during this period. In 751 Lombard king, Aistulf conquered Ravenna, thus ending Byzantine rule in northern Italy. King Pepin of the Franks attacked the Lombards and Ravenna gradually came under the direct authority of the Popes. Pope Adrian I authorized Charlemagne to take away anything from Ravenna that he liked, and Roman columns, mosaics, statues, and other portable items were taken north to enrich his capital of Aachen. In 1198 Ravenna led a league of Romagna cities against the Emperor. After the war of 1218, the Traversari family was able to impose its rule in the city, but after a short period, Ravenna was returned to the Papal States in 1248 and again to the Traversari until 1275. One of the most illustrious residents of Ravenna at this time was the exiled Florentine poet Dante. In 1441 the city was annexed to the Venetian territories. The "Baptistery of Neon" is the most ancient monument remaining in the city, it was partly erected on the site of a Roman bath. The baptistery dates back to the 4th or 5th century when Bishop Orso began the construction of the Cathedral of Ravenna. It is an octagonal brick building. The baptistery was finished by Bishop Neon at the end of the 5th century, at which time the mosaics were added. The ceiling mosaic depicts John the Baptist baptizing Jesus standing in the Jordan River. A personification of the Jordan, is also present. A procession of the twelve apostles proceeds around the center mosaic. Some parts (including the heads of Christ and John; the pouring of the baptismal water from the bowl) were in part heavily altered during restorations in the mid-19th century: Originally Christ was beardless, and baptism was performed by placing the hand on Christ's head. Find more photos from Ravenna in this album www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/album/1330038

The Battistero Neoniano (= Baptistry of Neon, Orthodox Baptistry) is the most ancient, still existing structure in Ravenna. The octagon was erected on the site of a Roman bath by Bishop Ursus at the end of the 4th century, as part of The Basilica Ursiana, that was destroyed in 1734, to make room for the Baroque cathedral of today. The baptistery was finished by Bishop Neon at the end of the 5th century, at which time the famous mosaic decorations were added. The center of the ceiling mosaic now in detail. John the Baptist pouring water on Jesus´ head. Jesus stands half immersed in the Jordan River. He seems to be naked! John holds a large cross. Above them is the Holy Spirit. The elderly man to the right is the personification of the Jordan River.

The Battistero Neoniano (= Baptistry of Neon, Orthodox Baptistry) is the most ancient, still existing structure in Ravenna. The octagon was erected on the site of a Roman bath by Bishop Ursus at the end of the 4th century, as part of The Basilica Ursiana, that was destroyed in 1734, to make room for the Baroque cathedral of today. The baptistery was finished by Bishop Neon at the end of the 5th century, at which time the famous mosaic decorations were added. The ceiling mosaic depicts John the Baptist baptizing Jesus. A procession of the twelve apostles proceeds around the center. Here the portrait of IACOBUS (= Saint James, Saint Jacques).

In Roman times Ravenna was a lagoon city surrounded by water, with at times up to 50.000 inhabitants. The second largest naval base of the Roman Empire was located here. In the late 5th century, Roman authority in the West dissolved, and Romulus Augustulus was deposed by the general Odoacer in 476. Odoacer ruled as king of Italy for 13 years, but in 489 the eastern emperor Zeno sent the Ostrogoth king Theoderic to reconquer Italy. After losing the Battle of Verona, Odoacer retreated to Ravenna, where he withstood a three-year siege. In 493, Theoderic finally took Ravenna and supposedly killed Odoacer with his own hands. Ravenna became the capital of the Ostrogothic kingdom in Italy. Theodoric died in 526 and various Ostrogothic military leaders took the Kingdom of Italy, but none was really successful. Meanwhile, the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I opposed both Ostrogoth rule. In 535 his general Belisarius invaded Italy and in 540 conquered Ravenna. After the conquest of Italy was completed in 554, Ravenna became the seat of the Byzantine government in Italy. Under Byzantine rule, the archbishop of the Archdiocese of Ravenna held second place in Italy after the pope and played an important role during this period. In 751 Lombard king, Aistulf conquered Ravenna, thus ending Byzantine rule in northern Italy. King Pepin of the Franks attacked the Lombards and Ravenna gradually came under the direct authority of the Popes. Pope Adrian I authorized Charlemagne to take away anything from Ravenna that he liked, and Roman columns, mosaics, statues, and other portable items were taken north to enrich his capital of Aachen. In 1198 Ravenna led a league of Romagna cities against the Emperor. After the war of 1218, the Traversari family was able to impose its rule in the city, but after a short period, Ravenna was returned to the Papal States in 1248 and again to the Traversari until 1275. One of the most illustrious residents of Ravenna at this time was the exiled Florentine poet Dante. In 1441 the city was annexed to the Venetian territories. The "Baptistery of Neon" is the most ancient monument remaining in the city, it was partly erected on the site of a Roman bath. The baptistery dates back to the 4th or 5th century when Bishop Orso began the construction of the Cathedral of Ravenna. It is an octagonal brick building. The baptistery was finished by Bishop Neon at the end of the 5th century, at which time the mosaics were added. The ceiling mosaic depicts John the Baptist baptizing Jesus standing in the Jordan River. A personification of the Jordan, is also present. A procession of the twelve apostles proceeds around the center mosaic. Some parts (including the heads of Christ and John; the pouring of the baptismal water from the bowl) were in part heavily altered during restorations in the mid-19th century: Originally Christ was beardless, and baptism was performed by placing the hand on Christ's head. Here is St. Bartholomew Find more photos from Ravenna in this album www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/album/1330038

In Roman times Ravenna was a lagoon city surrounded by water, with at times up to 50.000 inhabitants. The second largest naval base of the Roman Empire was located here. In the late 5th century, Roman authority in the West dissolved, and Romulus Augustulus was deposed by the general Odoacer in 476. Odoacer ruled as king of Italy for 13 years, but in 489 the eastern emperor Zeno sent the Ostrogoth king Theoderic to reconquer Italy. After losing the Battle of Verona, Odoacer retreated to Ravenna, where he withstood a three-year siege. In 493, Theoderic finally took Ravenna and supposedly killed Odoacer with his own hands. Ravenna became the capital of the Ostrogothic kingdom in Italy. Theodoric died in 526 and various Ostrogothic military leaders took the Kingdom of Italy, but none was really successful. Meanwhile, the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I opposed both Ostrogoth rule. In 535 his general Belisarius invaded Italy and in 540 conquered Ravenna. After the conquest of Italy was completed in 554, Ravenna became the seat of the Byzantine government in Italy. Under Byzantine rule, the archbishop of the Archdiocese of Ravenna held second place in Italy after the pope and played an important role during this period. In 751 Lombard king, Aistulf conquered Ravenna, thus ending Byzantine rule in northern Italy. King Pepin of the Franks attacked the Lombards and Ravenna gradually came under the direct authority of the Popes. Pope Adrian I authorized Charlemagne to take away anything from Ravenna that he liked, and Roman columns, mosaics, statues, and other portable items were taken north to enrich his capital of Aachen. In 1198 Ravenna led a league of Romagna cities against the Emperor. After the war of 1218, the Traversari family was able to impose its rule in the city, but after a short period, Ravenna was returned to the Papal States in 1248 and again to the Traversari until 1275. One of the most illustrious residents of Ravenna at this time was the exiled Florentine poet Dante. In 1441 the city was annexed to the Venetian territories. The "Baptistery of Neon" is the most ancient monument remaining in the city, it was partly erected on the site of a Roman bath. The baptistery dates back to the 4th or 5th century when Bishop Orso began the construction of the Cathedral of Ravenna. It is an octagonal brick building. The baptistery was finished by Bishop Neon at the end of the 5th century, at which time the mosaics were added. The ceiling mosaic depicts John the Baptist baptizing Jesus standing in the Jordan River. A personification of the Jordan, is also present. A procession of the twelve apostles proceeds around the center mosaic. Some parts (including the heads of Christ and John; the pouring of the baptismal water from the bowl) were in part heavily altered during restorations in the mid-19th century: Originally Christ was beardless, and baptism was performed by placing the hand on Christ's head. St. Peter Find more photos from Ravenna in this album www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/album/1330038

The museum, located just behind the Cathedral, is not large, but hosts a tremendous collection. Part of the museum is the bishop´s private chapel, built end of the 5th century and dedicated to Sant'Andrea. The famous "Throne of Maximian" (= "Cattedra di Massimiano"), carved from ivory ~ 550, is on display and many other delicate works of art. Unfortunately to take photos here is - not allowed. So I could take only very few, before getting a warning A reliquary (6th c.) with - the Magi. They are offering gold, frankincense and myrrh to young Jesus and wear wear phrygian caps.

The museum, located just behind the Cathedral, is not large, but hosts a tremendous collection. Part of the museum is the bishop´s private chapel, built end of the 5th century and dedicated to Sant'Andrea. The famous "Throne of Maximian" (= "Cattedra di Massimiano"), carved from ivory ~ 550, is on display and many other delicate works of art. Unfortunately to take photos here is - not allowed. So I could take only very few, before getting a warning The same reliquary (6th c.) seen on the previous upload. "Daniel in the lions' den". To the right is Habakkuk, bringing the food.

The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo was built by Ostrogoth King Theodoric the Great as his palace chapel. The Arian church was originally dedicated in 504 AD to "Christ the Redeemer". After Byzantine troops had conquered Ravenna the basilica was converted into a Catholic church and reconsecrated in 561 AD. It was now dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours, a foe of Arianism. The dedication was changed again in the 9th century to St. Apollinare, first bishop of Ravenna, when the saint's relics were moved here.

The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo was built by Ostrogoth King Theodoric the Great as his palace chapel. The Arian church was originally dedicated in 504 AD to "Christ the Redeemer". After Byzantine troops had conquered Ravenna the basilica was converted into a Catholic church and reconsecrated in 561 AD. It was now dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours, a foe of Arianism. The dedication was changed again in the 9th century to St. Apollinare, first bishop of Ravenna, when the saint's relics were moved here. Next to the basilica is a nice cloister. A convenient place for a rest during heavy rain. But the cloister is not, what the tourists come to see ..

The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo was built by Ostrogoth King Theodoric the Great as his palace chapel. The Arian church was originally dedicated in 504 AD to "Christ the Redeemer". After Byzantine troops had conquered Ravenna the basilica was converted into a Catholic church and reconsecrated in 561 AD. It was now dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours, a foe of Arianism. The dedication was changed again in the 9th century to St. Apollinare, first bishop of Ravenna, when the saint's relics were moved here. The interior measures 35 x 21 meters. There are 24 marble columns from Constantinople. The present floor level more than 1 meter higher than it was originally. The walls of the nave and clerestory are covered mosaics from the 6th century. Some of them date from the Arian period under King Theodoric the Great (496-526). The apse originally covered in mosaics like the walls, but these were removed during 16th century renovations. The present apse is a reconstruction after being damaged during World War I.