Arian Baptistery (Battistero degli Ariani), Ravenna 
The Arian Baptistery (Battistero degli Ariani) stands in a small square next to the Basilica of the Holy Spirit (Santo Spirito) in Ravenna, Italy.
History
Much of Christendom was once divided between the "Arians" and the "orthodox," each of whom held a different view of the divinity of Christ. Arians believed that Christ was divine, but was created by the Father and thus inferior to Him.
The orthodox view, which eventually won out, holds that Christ is equally divine ("of the same substance") as God the Father. The influence of each party depended a great deal on who had the ear of the emperors and kings at the time.
In the 5th century, Theodoric had consolidated his rule over Italy, and Arianism was the religion of the Court. The Basilica Santo Spirito was the Arian cathedral, and the Arian baptistery was built as part of it around the end of the 5th century.
After Theodoric's death, Arianism fell into disfavor, and the baptistery was stripped of all its decoration except for the dome. (Perhaps they couldn't reach it.)
What to See
The Arian Baptistery has an octagonal plan, with four small external apses. It has sunk about 2.25 meters into the ground in the 1500 years since it was built.
Nothing remains of the decorations that covered the walls, but the dome still contains a beautifully restored mosaic depicting the baptism of Christ and the Twelve Apostles. Unlike most other mosaics of this period, Christ is shown as a clean-shaven young man.
The Basilica of Santo Spirito, next door to the baptistery, was extensively rebuilt after WWII and thus of little historical interest, but its interior is pleasant and tranquil.
Location Map
Location map and satellite view of the Arian Baptistery. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. You can explore all of Ravenna from space on our Ravenna Map.
Quick Facts
| Location: | Via degli Ariani, Ravenna, Italy. Near central pedestrian zone, west of San Giovanni Evangelista. |
| Phone: | 0544 35404 |
| Hours: | Daily 8:30am-7:30pm |
| Cost: | Free |
- Ravenna Tourist Office (2006).
- PlanetWare (2006).
- Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna - UNESCO World Heritage List
