Ravenna is known for it's moasics. In one short afternoon we visit 3 Unesco world heritage monuments! Ravenna is literally built on sand, so heavy buildings are literally slowly sinking, especially large buildings like churches! Our first stop is the Basilica di San Vitale, built in AD 540. It is a very interesting early Christian church that integrates Eastern and Western influences. The mosaics are brilliant, and the church's octagonal design completely different from the later more rectangular ones. We also saw the Mausoleum of Galle Placidia. It was built to be the burial place of the Roman Emporer's sister, but she outlived her residence in Ravenna and died instead in Rome. Also amazing mosaics...and 90% original! Then we saw the Neonian Bapistery, also with amazing mosaics!
It dates from around AD 400. This glorious building has sunk 10 feet over the last 15 centuries!
Ravenna is next to the Adriatic, built on sandy swampland. It's only about 6 feet above sea level. Today is very humid, about 73%, which combined with 80 degrees is hot. Today I finally figured out my rash, which was not helped by the cortisone cream from the apokothy in Berlin. It's prickely heat! Fortunately I brought medicine for that, unfortunately it's in the bus's hold till we stop. Relief is in sight!!
For Dante fans...we found him! He spent is final three years here before dying of mosquito born maleria (remember...swamp), so his tomb is here! Divine Comedy, anyone?
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