Galla Placidia (386-452) , Onorio’s sister, the Roman emperor that moved the capital of the western roman empire in 402 from Milan To Ravenna, had this small mausoleum built around 435-450, a building still today famous for it’s mosaics. The outside of the building is very simple, in contrast to the wealth of the mosaic decoration on the inside, the oldest in Ravenna. The mosaics line the walls of the “colte”, the lunettes and the dome. The iconographic themes developed in the decorations represent the victory of life over death, in agreement with the funeral destination of the building. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Dante Alighieri museum  is structured in sections with representations inspired by the work of the poet: illustrations, pictures, medals and coins, little sculptures in bronze and philately. A section is dedicated to paintings and drawings and includes illustrated editions of the “Divina Commedia”, graphic collections without text, oil and tempera painting. Of particular relief are the biggest and the smallest editions of the “Divina Commedia” and the micro calligraphic one of g. Cossovel (1888). The library of the museum has about eleven thousand handwritten volumes between which, Incunaboli, Cinquecentine and translations of Dante’s work Dante Alighieri, who died on September 13th, 1321, was buried in an ancient sarcophagus placed under a side porch of the San Francesco church; but in 1483 the task to adorn the tomb entrusted to the sculptor Lombard Pietro, the current temple form however was built only in 1780 by Camillo Morigia who fitted the previous sculpture to the new neo-classical taste. .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The newest mosaics finded are in the Domus dei Tappeti di
Pietra or The Domus of Stone Carpets. The
Domus is 3 meters below the road level and
consists of gorgeous floor mosaics of a
"magnificent Byzantine palace dating back to
the 6th century AD."  The pavements are
decorated with geometrical, floral and figurative
patterns "considered as unique and completely
different from any classical Christian
representation."  They are absolutely lovely and
one only wishes to have seen the richness of the
whole palace in its days of glory and grandeur..

 

 

 

 

 

The exhibition Convivium represents the second event of an history, which began in S. Nicolò with th Domus del Triclinio. The art of preparing banquets and the pleasure of life in the dwelling of the ancient Rome, represent the interesting leit motiv of the nrw great exhibition, which is set up in the same setting. In the classical society, the art of living had many followers and the banquet was one of its most important moments.

For the ancients, in fact it was far more than a simple pleasure. It represented a ritual, both official and private, with the features of the sacred and profane representation and which was also the evidence of social distinction and power. As every ritual and feast, sitting at table and enjoying what followed, were moments governed by specific rules. Hosts used to prepare thei banquets taking care of al details, with luxurious forniture, securing the partecipation of the greatest chefs of the period. The Roman aristocracy, in a more and more spectacular and refine setting, used to celebrate in the domus the splendour of the convivium.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sant'Apollinare in Classe, Ravenna. The basilica of S. Apollinare in Class is situated approximately 5 km from the center of Ravenna. It was built by Giuliano Argentario on order of the archbishop Ursicino during the first half of 6th century. The consecration took place on May 9th in the 8th year following the Council of Basil, that is, in 549 AD. Sant'Apollinare in Classe has been described as the 'most impressive example of the Early Christian basilica.' It's one of the more perfect basilicas  of Ravenna; beyond to its architectonic structure it is famous for the mosaics and the marble graves of the old archbishops. On left of the basilica is the high cylindrical bell tower, datable after the 9th century.

 

 

 

 

The archeological site of Classe, with its artistic patrimony is unique in the world.the open excavations are only 3km from our hotel.

. 

.