CHECK OUT RAVENNA, A CITY BEAUTIFULLY OBSESSED

RAVENNA

When people who share a beautiful obsession come together, they can create a magnificent place that surpasses any other. UNESCO World Heritage Listed Ravenna is a gleaming example.

This small city, just south of Venice, along the Adriatic Sea, is the mosaic center of the world. During the 5th & 6th centuries, when Ravenna was the seat of the Roman Empire, its artisans became obsessed with the mosaic artform, inlaying many of its prominent buildings’ walls, ceilings, and floors with billions of aesthetically arranged colored bits.

These unparalleled mosaics were created with great passion and artistic skill, and are among the best surviving examples of this art form in Europe.

The 1st mosaics were Cretan monochrome pavements made of stones, appearing at the end of the 3rd millennium BC. It was not until the 8th century that mosaics acquired aesthetic significance. 

Ravenna’s mosaics are extraordinary, both in the sheer number of their collective square footage and their incredible intricacy, artistry, and quality. They are a wonderful blend of Graeco-Roman tradition, with Christian iconography, mixing both Oriental & Western styles. They reflect major historical, political and religious events here.

This unique collection can be found in Ravenna’s 8 main buildings: the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, the Neonian Baptistery, Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Arian Baptistery, Archiepiscopal Chapel, Mausoleum of Theodoric, Church of San Vitale, and Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe.

San Vitale offers the biggest and grandest mosaic display. Its Presbytery and Apse feature pre-Byzantine Biblical art from the Old Testament: Abraham & the Sacrifice of Isaac, Moses & the Burning Bush, Jeremiah & Isaiah, Cain & Abel, and more. Side walls features mosaics depicting the Four Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

The cross-ribbed vault over the presbytery features mosaics of foliage, fruit, flowers, stars, birds, animals, and a crown, supported by 4 angels, encircling the Lamb of God.

The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia is small, but lavishly decorated with mosaics, set against a dark blue background.

The ornate Neonian Baptistery, houses the most complete surviving example of an Early Christian baptistery.

The Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo mosaics show particularly strong Byzantine influence.

The Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe sports rich marble mosaics in its cylindrical bell tower.

Today, Ravenna keeps the cultural tradition and technique of mosaics alive through a range of activities, classes, and events, to promote knowledge, training, and conservation mosaic art, fueling obsessions in new generations.  

To fully appreciate the obsessive beauty of Ravenna’s mosaics, bring your binoculars and take in every last detail.

Read more about Beautiful Obsessions, as it relates to Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact including Crazy or Badass? Beautiful Obsessions Are Happening Now!, Beautiful Biophilia Now, Playing With Food is a Beautiful Obsession Now and Beautiful Art Obsessions Now.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: by Petar Milošević. Triumphal Arch Mosaics of Jesus Christ and the Apostles. Basilica of San Vitale. Ravenna, Italy.
2. Image by Petar Milošević. Mosaic of Theodora - Basilica of San Vitale (built A.D. 547), Italy. UNESCO World heritage site.
3. Image: Courtesy of Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre. Basilica di San Vitale. Ravenna, Italy.
4. Image: by Petar Milošević. The Good Shepherd Mosaic. Galla Placidia. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ravenna, Italy.
5. Image: by Tango7174. Basilica of San Vitale, Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. The Apse.
6. Image: by Stanislav Georgiev. The Basilica of San Vitale. Ravenna, Italy.
7. Image: by Petar Milošević. Lamb of God Mosaic in Presbytery of Basilica of San Vitale (built A.D. 547). Ravenna, Italy.
8. Image: by Lawrence OP. This 6th-century mosaic of the Lamb of God within an 'O' supported by angels is on the ceiling of San Vitale in Ravenna.
9. Image: by Michael.PortrayingLife.com. Inside Curves. Interior dome, vault and ceiling mosaics of the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia (450 AD). Ravenna, Italy.
10. Image: by Michael.PortrayingLife.com. Gettin' Right-sided. Interior Dome Mosaic of the Baptistry of Neon. Ravenna, Italy.
11. Image: by Michael.PortrayingLife.com. Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe. Ravenna, Italy.
12. Image: by Petar Milošević. Apse Mosaic Basilica of San Vitale. Ravenna, Italy.
13. Image: by Petar Milošević. Empress Theodora and Attendants. Basilica of San Vitale (built A.D. 547), Italy.
14. Image: by Fr Lawrence Lew, O.P. Christ and his Apostles. Basilica of San Vitale. Ravenna, Italy.
15. Image: by BN App - Download now!
16. Image: by IMBiblio. Ravenna. Ravenna, Italy.