reportage from Ravenna - italian students Giuseppe e Mattia

VI century AC

               Even MATTIA 1D  was in Ravenna

                       these are his photos  collage

from the bottom clockwise, Mattia in front of the tomb of Dante, then the Basilica of San Vitale and the splendid mosaics  of the Baptistery

up Sant Apollinare in classe

down  Basilica of San Vitale

the  Cupola of  Battistero

Basilica di San Vitale

In 402 Honorius, son of Theodosius I, decided to move to Ravenna the residence of the Western Roman Empire.

Ravenna was chosen as the new capital because he enjoyed a better strategic position and defensibility given his status as a maritime city.

In a short time Ravenna became cosmopolitan city... political, cultural and religious center.

After Honorius' death the city passed to Valentinian III, but given his young age ruled his mother Galla Placidia, daughter of Theodosius.

Between 493 and 526 Theodoric  establishes his court in Ravenna .

Italy comes into contact with the Byzantine culture when, in the middle of the sixth century, Ravenna became the seat of the exarch (governor) of Constantinople.

The Basilica of St. Apollinaris in Classe, one of the best preserved buildings in Ravenna, is 

also of the sixth-century . Inside, there are mosaics of different ages.

In the sixth century, the city is thriving. The beautiful Church of San Vitale 

rises in this period.

Entering into the Basilica of San Vitale one is struck by the play of light and every corner offers a particular view of the "sparkle" of the golden mosaics so much so that seems to live in a supernatural dimension. This is typical of the Byzantine imperial court, while other elements are the result of the experiences Italian, so it is assumed that in  the basilica worked both local artists and artists come from the east.

Ravenna was declared a World Heritage Site (Patrimonio mondiale dell'umanità)
by UNESCO

bye bye 

Giuseppe e Mattia