Basilica di San Vitale

Kiran Kizhakkekkut

4 months ago

It's a very Ancient Church...worth watching

Andrey Novoselov

2 weeks ago

A high point of Byzantine architecture in Italy, its interior is lavishly decorated with mosaics. The Italian city of Ravenna is home to a wealth of early Christian architecture, dating from the 5th and 6th centuries under successive Roman, Ostrogoth, and Byzantine rule. Among the eight buildings given UNESCO World Heritage status in Ravenna is the Basilica of San Vitale, an imposing octagonal structure built between 526 and 547 CE. Renowned mosaics. Although not strictly a basilica in architectural form (the term refers to a rectangular building with a central nave and aisles), the church was granted the title in recognition of its ecclesiastical status. The architecture is a hybrid of Roman elements, such as the dome, and Byzantine influences—in particular, the octagonal floor plan and the use of bricks with a thick rendering of plaster. The rather austere exterior of the church, however, is misleading. Inside, the spacious polygonal nave is filled by natural light and is sumptuously decorated throughout with brilliant mosaics. These depict the saints and the life of Christ and commemorate the accession of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I and his wife Theodora as rulers of Ravenna.

Cleber Fregatto

4 months ago

From the outside you won’t have any idea how beautiful and interesting this place is on the inside. The mosaic are an impressive collection of art very well preserved. The painting on the dome is also very impressive. A must visit when in Ravenna.

Marc Staples

4 months ago

Incredible basilica with impressive paintings on every wall inside the church. You would not expect them when you see the church from outside. We took the ticket which is valid for 3 churches, but only time for this one, as it is the most impressive one. Certainly worthwhile a visit.

Asiyah Noemi Koso

5 months ago

St. Vitale's Basilica hides incredible beauty. It is a special privilege to be in this Basilica and to admire this marvelous mastery of mosaic construction, painting and decoration. St. Vitale's Basilica is a Byzantine church dedicated to St. Vitale (a Roman slave and Christian martyr whose cult was strengthened in the late 4th century), built by Emperor Justinian from 540-547. It is the most significant monument of Byzantine architecture in Western Europe and one of the most significant monuments of Byzantine art in general. With every step, with every glance at the beautiful mosaics in me relive indescribably beautiful emotions. The history of the Basilica is certainly interesting and significant. The construction of the Basilica of St. Vitale was initiated by the Bishop of Ravenna Ecclesius after a trip to Byzantium with Pope John in 525 AD. A magnificent Basilica, worthy of all admiration for lovers of architecture and art as well as those who are not.