City of Ravenna: sights. Mausoleum of Theodoric, mosaics of the Basilica of San Vitale, the tomb of Dante

The Italian city of Ravenna is in the region of Emilia-Romagna, ten kilometers from the Adriatic Sea. The houses in the alleys of this settlement are so neat, bright, clean, perfectly fitted to each other, like pieces of a mosaic. The nobility of the world-famous Christian churches is as if spilled throughout the ancient city.

Ravenna: attractions. Basilica of San Vitale

Perhaps, this is one of the most famous and significant Byzantine churches in Europe. Its design is unusual, but the interior is especially interesting. The mosaics of the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna are the greatest works of art that are equal in the world.

The construction of the church of San Vitale began in 527, after the return of Bishop Ravenna from Byzantium. The temple was built with the help of a Greek interest-bearer and was consecrated in honor of Vitaly of Milan. Over time, the design of the basilica has changed. So, in the XIII century the belltower was built, in the XVI century, fearing flooding, the city authorities decided to raise the entire basilica above the ground level.

The structure has specific design features that turned the church into a standard for subsequent cult buildings in the style of the Carolingian Renaissance. The interior of the church can be admired for hours. Most of the room is decorated with ornaments from marble slabs, but all arches and circles are lined in Byzantine style with a mosaic: pictures depict early Christian plots. Here you can see the portraits of the Roman Emperor Justinian and his wife with his entourage, scenes from the Old Testament - the phenomenon of Moses' burning bush, the sacrifice of Abel, etc.

Ariane Baptistery

The Arian Baptistery was built in the 6th century, under King Theodoric. This event occurred one hundred years later than the Neptune baptistery was built. Ravenna (Italy) has two structures of this kind, which are very similar in appearance. Both are small, octagonal in shape, made of the same brick.

But the interior decoration of these buildings is very different. Since the baptistery was intended for the rite of baptism, it is decorated with appropriate images. The scene of Christ's baptism is laid out on the dome from the mosaic. The paintings in the Arian baptistery are made in geometric style. The Ostrogoths were notable masters, who understood the art of gold forging, but not in artistic mosaic. Therefore, the researchers believe that the patterns in the baptistery of Arian, as, indeed, in the Orthodox baptistry of Neon, were laid out by Orthodox Christians. In addition to the mosaic on the dome, the baptistery no longer has any decor elements.

Tomb of Dante

Tourists from around the world are attracted by Ravenna. The sights of this city are unique. For example, on the street Alighieri, near the Basilica of St. Francis, is the tomb of the author of the "Divine Comedy" - the great Dante. Many wonder why the Florentine was buried in Ravenna. This is really an interesting story.

Expulsion from Florence

According to historians, Dante was involved in the conflict between the Ghibellines and the Guelphs. After defeating the enemy, the Guelphs split into two factions - the "black" and the "white" - and began a fierce battle between themselves. Dante was among the white, who in 1301 were defeated. The poet was convicted of exile and fined a lot. In case of non-payment upon his return to Florence, according to the laws of that time, he could be burned at the stake.

Dante, who passionately loved his native Florence, was heavily reluctant to link. He expressed all the pain of loss in "Paradise". After the death of the poet in Florence, "suddenly" realized that her late citizen was a great national poet, and demanded that the authorities give Ravenna his ashes. In 1519, Pope Leo X ordered to give out the remains of the poet, who were to be transported to Florence. The sarcophagus was delivered, but it was empty.

Unsuccessful return of the ashes

As it turned out later, the Ravenski Franciscans made a hole in the tomb, removed the remains from it and secretly buried them in the monastery of Sienzo. In 1810, the monks left the monastery and buried the coffin in Bracciofort, which is still in our vicinity near the tomb of Dante. The coffin was discovered during construction work in 1865. However, as early as 1829, a tomb in Florence was built for Dante. Since then it is empty.

The internal structure of the tomb

To the tomb of Dante in Ravenna leads a narrow and quiet street, at the end of which you can see a rather modest but worthy memorial. It is made in neoclassical style in 1780 by Camillo Morigia. Inside is an urn with a Latin epitaph, which was in 1327 by Bernardo Canachchio. Over the urn, a bas-relief of the work of P. Lombardo is carved, on which is depicted a poet immersed in thoughts. He works at his desk. Before, this bas-relief was part of the interior decoration of the tomb of Dante, located in the church of St. Francis. Ravenna, whose sights are very carefully guarded by the authorities and local residents, can rightly be proud of the priceless monuments located on its territory.

Mausoleum of Theodoric

This rather modest externally and small mausoleum is located on the outskirts of the city. It was built by the Ostrogothic king for his future rest. Many locals believe that without this monument, Ravenna (Italy) is unthinkable. The thing is that there are no more purely Gothic monuments in the city. In addition, Theodoric was not a Christian monarch, which turns his tomb into a unique structure in some way.

Many tourists in the reviews say that they were struck by Ravenna. The sights of the city are very different. For example, after seeing this mausoleum, no one thinks that this structure can seriously impress, especially after viewing the monumental and majestic basilicas of the city. This is a small tower built of limestone, which has a central dome, whose diameter does not exceed ten meters. The mausoleum was built on the site of the cemetery that was in effect at that time, in the suburbs of Ravenna.

When Ravenna passed into the hands of Emperor Justinian of Rome, the remains of Theodoric were taken from the mausoleum and began to use the building as a chapel. Therefore, tourists should know that in the mausoleum of Theodoric nobody is buried: the sarcophagus of dark red color is empty.

The construction of the mausoleum is two-level, ten-sided. On the top floor there is a room for the tomb, in the lower section there is a chapel. Both inside and outside the walls of the mausoleum have no decorations. Inside there is no decorative decoration, except for the sarcophagus - a powerful block of porphyry, in which a special "bath" is wrought. Today, the sarcophagus stands open, without a lid, right in the center of the building.

Dome of the Mausoleum

If you happen to visit Ravenna, be sure to visit the mausoleum and pay attention to its dome. It is made of solid stone weighing more than three hundred tons. Such a machine could not be lifted upstairs in those distant times, but the builders found the original solution - the mausoleum was completely covered with earth, the huge dome was dragged upward, and then the ground was removed.

We told you only about some of the sights that Ravenna is famous for. The city is wonderful, there are many interesting places here. We hope that you will have the opportunity to visit Italy and see the interesting places of Ravenna with your own eyes.