Map: 54
The last structure on the square is yet another one of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Arian Baptistery. It was built in the same period (early 6th century) as the church of the Holy Spirit, and like it, lies today 2.3 meters lower than its original level. Modeled after the Baptistery of Neon, it is octagonal in shape and has four small external apses. While nothing remains of the various stuccos and decorations which certainly covered the internal walls, the cupola is still adorned with mosaics depicting the procession of the 12 Apostles and the Baptism of Christ, who is immersed in water to the hips. Although it shows the same iconographical structure as the Baptistery of Neon, the mosaics of the Arian Baptistery are an evidence of the religious beliefs of Theodoric's court, based on Christ as both an earthly and divine figure: while in the Neonian Baptistery the 12 Apostles hail the image of Christ on the central medallion as God’s son, here they pay homage to a big throne decorated with gems and topped by a cross, from the arms of which hangs a purple cloth, symbol of Jesus’ corporeity and human suffering. Unfortunately the Baptistery had already closed when I arrived there, and I’m angered that I was oblivious to its existence until that last moment:
The Arian Baptistery by
Wasso H., on Flickr
Map: 55
Returning to the station, I catch one last glimpse of the church of San Giovanni Evangelista, the first structure I visited in Ravenna. I’ll hopefully return one day, and explore in even more detail this city’s historical and artistic treasures!
Church of San Giovanni Evangelista by
Wasso H., on Flickr
Thank you for following, and see you soon to get to know another city!