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About
The Basilica of San Vitale is a church in Ravenna, located in Via San Vitale, a few meters away from the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia.
SHORT HISTORY OF THE BASILICA OF SAN VITALE
The Basilica of San Vitale was built by Bishop Ecclesio, starting with 532, and completed by his successor, Archbishop Maximian, in 547, when Ravenna was already ruled by the Roman Emperor Justinian.
An exemplary masterpiece of early Byzantine art, the basilica was included in 1996 on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites entitled Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna.
ARCHITECTURE OF THE BASILICA OF SAN VITALE
The Basilica of San Vitale combines Roman architectural elements (the dome, the portals, the towers) with Byzantine elements (the polygonal apse, the capitals, the bricks).
From the geometric shape of the main nucleus, emerge rigorously defined bodies – the raised tiburium (lantern tower), octagonal, and the apse, polygonal on the outside, semicircular on the inside, and flanked by two small rooms.
The interior is accessed through two portals – one aligned with the apse, the other oblique. Consequently, also the narthex (antechamber), instead of being tangent to the front side of the octagon, is arranged obliquely.
The interior space of the church is defined by exedras, with a double order of small arches enclosed within large arches supported by corner pillars. On these, the dome is set.
ART OF THE BASILICA OF SAN VITALE
The focal point of the mosaic decoration is located in the presbytery area.
Above the arch of the apse, two flying angels hold a disc, flanked by the cities of Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
Below, there is Christ Pantocrator, seated on a blue globe between two archangels, with the Scroll of Seven Seals in one hand, while with the other hand he offers the triumphal crown to San Vitale.
On the cross vault of the presbytery, four angels support another disc with the Lamb of God inside, surrounded by spirals and stylized flowers.
On the interior of the presbitery arch, there are medallions with Christ and the Apostles.
On the sides of the presbytery, there are three-mullioned windows, each surmounted by a lunette which houses mosaics with the Sacrifices of Abel and Melchisedec, on the right, and the Hospitality of Abraham and the Sacrifice of Isaac, on the left.
In addition to the famous mosaics, the interior decoration of the church is completed by the polychrome marbles, the stuccos and the finely perforated balustrades of the women’s gallery (matroneum).
TIP: To visit five of the monuments included in the UNESCO World Heritage List “Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna” and to discover their history and art (mosaics), take a guided tour.
HOW TO GET TO THE BASILICA OF SAN VITALE
The Basilica of San Vitale is located about 1 kilometer away from the Ravenna railway station. The closest bus stop is in Via Maggiore, about 400 meters away, on the bus Line 70.
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