San Vitale Basilica, Ravenna 
Exterior on the entrance side. Photo
Ray Streeter. 
Bell tower and entrance door. Photo
Andy Hay.
Interior view, with apse on the right. Photo © Paradoxplace.com.
Beautiful Byzantine mosaics on apse and ceiling. Photo by Kim Unertl.
Magnificently mosaiced apse, with beardless Christ. Photo by Amelie.
The Byzantine Emperor Justianian and his entourage.
The Empress Theodora and her entourage. Photo © Paradoxplace.com.
The Basilica di San Vitale in Ravenna dates from the mid-6th century and contains some of the most celebrated Byzantine mosaics in the western world.
History
Built on the site of the martyrdom of St. Vitalis, construction on San Vitale Basilica began in 526 and was completed in 548. Nearly all of what can be seen today, including the splendid mosaics, dates from this early period.
What to See
San Vitale is a small domed church in the Byzantine architectural style, and has the shape of two concentric octagons. The Byzantine mosaics inside — in brilliant greens and golds, lit by light from translucent panels — are some of the most famous in the world.
San Vitale's apse mosaic dates from 526 to 547 AD. It depicts a youthful, clean-shaven Christ sitting on the sphere of the world, flanked by San Vitale (who is being handed a martyr's crown), two angels, and Bishop Ecclesius, who founded the church.
To the left is a mosaic of Emperor Justinian (r. 527-65) and his entourage. Justinian was a great lawgiver and one of the most powerful Byzantine emperors. He stands in the center of the mosaic, wearing imperial purple and holding a large gold paten, the plate on which the bread is placed for Mass.
To his left is Maximian, Archbishop of Ravenna, holding a jeweled cross. Some of the other men hold Christian objects as well, including a censer, an ornate book, and a soldier's shield displaying Christ's monogram, the Chi-Rho.
To the right is a mosaic of Empress Theodora, courtesan, actress, and wife of Justinian, and her court. Corresponding to Justinian's paten, the empress holds the cup of communion.
Quick Facts
| Date: | 526-48 |
| Architecture: | Byzantine; Early Christian |
| Location: | Via San Vitale 17, Ravenna, Italy |
| Bus: | 1 or 11 |
| Phone: | 0544-219938 |
| Hours: | Apr-Sept daily 9am-7pm; Mar and Oct daily 9am-5:30pm; Nov-Feb daily 9:30am-4:30pm |
| Cost: | 6.50€ |
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of San Vitale. 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. For a larger view, see our Ravenna Map or get our free Google Earth download.
Sources
- Personal visit (May 9, 2008).
- Ravenna - Catholic Encyclopedia
- San Vitale - Great Buildings Online
- Ravenna - San Vitale - Paradoxplace.com
- Frommer's Italy 2005
- Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna - UNESCO World Heritage List
More Information
- William L. MacDonald, Early Christian & Byzantine Architecture (New York: George Braziller, 1962).
- John Julius Norwich, ed. Great Architecture of the World (London: Mitchell Beazley Publishers, 1975; reprint, Da Capo Press, 1991).
