Ravenna 3

Ravenna 3

Today's photos show the outside of the Basilica di San Vitale, one of the most important examples of early Christian Byzantine art and architecture in Western Europe. I do have photos of the mosaics and art inside this historic building and will share them when I share the Churches of Europe series later in the fall.

This church was started in 527 and completed in 548 and is most famous for its mosaics, the best preserved examples of Byzantine mosaics outside of Constantinople. It is extremely important in terms of Byzantine art as it is the only church from that period to survive virtually intact to the present day.

Located just behind the basilica, is the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia which is shown in the second last image above. This little building is said to have the best mosaics in Ravenna, though there is no flash photography allowed inside and it was really too dark to make a decent image. I did make a few photos through the alabaster windows and will share them later.

Photos of the Day are for sale as stock photographs
and photographic enlargements.

They can also be purchased as slide shows
and/or wallpapers/screensavers.