The Basilica of San Vitale

The Basilica of San Vitale is the most famous monument of Ravenna, Italy and is one of the most important examples of Byzantine Art and architecture in western Europe. The building is one of eight Ravenna structures inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Image File history File links San_Vitale_Ravenna. ... Image File history File links San_Vitale_Ravenna. ... Ravenna is a city and commune in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. ... The most famous of the surviving Byzantine mosaics of the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople - the image of Christ Pantocrator on the walls of the upper southern gallery. ... A common understanding of Western Europe in modern times. ... UNESCO logo UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1945. ... Elabana Falls is in Lamington National Park, part of the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves World Heritage site in Queensland, Australia. ...

The basilica was begun by Bishop Ecclesio in 527, when Ravenna was under the rule of the Ostrogoths, and completed by the 27th Bishop of Ravenna, Maximian in 548 during the Byzantine Exarchate of Ravenna. The architect of this church is unknown, but he was certainly among the best architects of his time. This article deals with the continental Ostrogoths. ... Maximianus of Ravenna, bishop of Ravenna (499 - February 22, 556; feast day formerly February 21). ... The Exarchate of Ravenna was a center of Byzantine power in Italy, from the end of the 6th century to 751 A.D., when the last Exarch was put to death by the Emperors enemies in Italy, the Lombards. ...

The church has an octagonal plan. The building combines Roman elements (the dome, shape of doorways, stepped towers) with Byzantine (polygonal apse, capitals, narrow bricks, etc). However, the Basilica is most famous for its wealth of Byzantine mosaics, the largest and best preserved outside of Constantinople itself. The church is of extreme importance in Byzantine art, as it is the only major church from the period of Emperor Justinian to survive virtually intact to the present day; furthermore, it is thought to reflect the design of the Byzantine Imperial Palace Audience Chamber, of which nothing at all survives. The Romans adopted the external language of classical Greek architecture for their own purposes, which were so different from Greek buildings as to create a new architectural style. ... This article is about a decorative art. ... Map of Constantinople. ... Justinian I, depicted on a contemporary coin Flavius Petrus Sabbatius Iustinianus or Justinian I (May 11, 483–November 13/14, 565), was Eastern Roman Emperor from AD August 1, 527 until his death. ...

According to legend, the church was erected on the site of the martyrdom of Saint Vitalis. However, there is some confusion as to whether this is the Saint Vitalis of Milan, or the Saint Vitale whose body was discovered together with that of Saint Agricola, by Saint Ambrose in Bologna in 393. Saint Vitalis of Milan , also known as Saint Vitale, was an early Christian martyr. ... Saint Vitalis of Milan, known as San Vitale in Italian, was an early Christian martyr. ... Saints Vitalis and Agricola were martyrs at Bologna about 304, during the persecution ordered by Roman Emperor Diocletian. ... Saints Vitalis and Agricola were martyrs at Bologna about 304, during the persecution of Emperor Diocletian. ... Saint Ambrose, Latin Sanctus Ambrosius, Italian SantAmbrogio (circa 340 - April 4, 397), bishop of Milan, was one of the most eminent fathers of the Christian church in the 4th century. ... Bologna (IPA , from Latin Bononia, Bulåggna in the local dialect) is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy, in the Pianura Padana, between the Po River and the Apennines, exactly between the Reno River and the Sàvena River. ... Events Gao Zu succeeds Tai Zu as Emperor of the Later Qin Empire in China. ...

The construction of the church was sponsored by a Greek banker, Iulianus Argentarius, of whom very little is known, except that he also sponsored the construction of the Basilica of Sant' Apollinare in Classe at around the same time. The final cost amounted to 26,000 gold pieces. The true sponsor may have been the Byzantine Emperor, who used such church construction projects as propaganda and as a way of speeding the incorporation of new territory into the Empire. The Basilica of Sant Apollinare in Classe in Ravenna, Italy, was erected by order of Bishop Ursicino, using money from the Greek banker, Julian the Silversmith. ... An Australian anti-conscription propaganda poster from World War One Propaganda is a type of message aimed at influencing the opinions or behavior of people. ...

The central section is surrounded by two superposed ambulatories. The upper one, the matrimoneum, was reserved for married women. A series of mosaics in the lunettes above the triforia, depict sacrifices from the Old Testament : the story of Abraham and Melchizedek, and the Sacrifice of Isaac; the story of Moses and the Burning Bush, Jeremiah and Isaiah, representatives of the twelve tribes of Israel, and the story of Abel and Cain. A pair of angels, holding a medallion with a cross, crowns each lunette. On the side walls the corners, next to the mullioned windows, have mosaics of the Four Evangelists, under their symbols (angel, lion, bull and eagle), and dressed in white. Especially the portrayal of the lion is remarkable in its feral ferocity. The ambulatory (Med. ... Triforium is an architectural term. ... It has been suggested that Abraham (Hebrew Bible) be merged into this article or section. ... Meeting of Abraham and Melchizedek — by Dieric Bouts the Elder, 1464–67 Melchizedek or Malki-tzédek (מַלְכִּי־צֶדֶק / מַלְכִּי־צָדֶק, Standard Hebrew Malki-ẓédeq / Malki-ẓádeq, Tiberian Hebrew Malkî-ṣéḏeq / Malkî-ṣāḏeq), sometimes written Malchizedek, Melchisedec, Melchisedech, Melchisedek or Melkisedek, is a figure mentioned by the Hebrew Bible, in the Book of Genesis... It has been suggested that Ishaq be merged into this article or section. ... Moses with the Tablets, 1659, by Rembrandt This article is about the Biblical figure. ... Burning bush at St. ... Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem by Rembrandt van Rijn. ... Isaiah the Prophet in Hebrew Scriptures was depicted on the Sistine Chapel ceiling by Michelangelo. ... In the Book of Genesis, Abel (Hebrew הֶבֶל / הָבֶל, Standard Hebrew Hével / Hável, Tiberian Hebrew Héḇel / Hāḇel; Arabic هابيل HābÄ«l) was the second son of Adam. ... In stories common to the Abrahamic religions, Cain or Káyin (קַיִן / קָיִן spear Standard Hebrew Qáyin, Tiberian Hebrew Qáyin / Qāyin; Arabic قايين QāyÄ«n in the Arabic Bible; قابيل QābÄ«l in Islam) is the eldest son of Adam and Eve, and the first man born in creation... The symbols of the four Evangelists are here depicted in the Book of Kells The Four Evangelists are the four followers of Jesus to whom are ascribed the writings forming the four Gospels of the New Testament: the Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. ...

The cross-ribbed vault in the presbytery is richly ornamented with mosaic festoons of leaves, fruit and flowers, converging on a crown encircling the Lamb of God. The crown is supported by four angels, and every surface is covered with a profusion of flowers, stars, birds and animals, including many peacocks. Above the arch, on both sides, two angels hold a disc and beside them a representation of the cities of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. They symbolize the human race (Jerusalem representing the Jews, and Bethlehem the Gentiles). A presbytery can be - * the residence of one or more presbyters, priests, or religious elders; - * an area of a church or cathedral reserved for priests; - * the collective college of priests in a diocese, archdiocese, or prelature; - * the local unit in the polity of a Presbyterian church, consisting of presbyters (i. ... Brass Agnus Dei from altar-front in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Louisville, Kentucky Lamb of God (Latin: Agnus Dei) is one of the titles given to Jesus in the New Testament and consequently in the Christian tradition. ... The Annunciation - the Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will bear Jesus (El Greco, 1575) An angel is a supernatural being found in many religions. ... Peacock re-directs here; for alternate uses see Peacock (disambiguation). ...

All these mosaics are executed in the Hellenistic-Roman tradition : lively and imaginative, with rich colours and a certain perspective, and with a vivid depiction of the landscape, plants and birds. They were finished when Ravenna was still under Gothic rule.

The apse is flanked by two chapels, the prothesis and the diaconicon, typical for Byzantine architecture. A Prothesis (liturgy) is part of the Divine Liturgy of the Eastern Orthodox Church. ... Diaconicon is, in the Greek Church, the name given to a chamber on the south side of the central apse, where the sacred utensils, vessels, etc, of the church were kept. ...

Inside, the intrados of the great triumphal arch is decorated with fifteen mosaic medallions, depicting Jesus Christ, the twelve Apostles and Saint Gervasius and Saint Protasius, the sons of Saint Vitale. Arc de Triomphe, Paris A triumphal arch is a structure in the shape of a monumental archway, usually built to celebrate a victory in war. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... The Twelve Apostles (, apostolos, Liddell & Scott, Strongs G652, someone sent forth/sent out) were men that according to the Synoptic Gospels and Christian tradition, were chosen from among the disciples (students) of Jesus for a mission. ... Saints Gervasius and Protasius (also Gervase and Protase, and in French Gervais and Protais) were Christian martyrs, probably of the 2nd century. ... Saints Gervasius and Protasius (also Gervase and Protase, and in French Gervais and Protais) were Christian martyrs, probably of the 2nd century. ...

The theophany was began in 525 under bishop Ecclesius. It has a great gold fascia with twining flowers, birds, and horns of plenty. Jesus Christ appears, seated on a blue globe in the summit of the vault, robed in purple, with his right hand offering the martyr's crown to Saint Vitale. On the left, Bishop Ecclesius offers a model of the church. Look up theophany in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

At the foot of the apse side walls are two famous mosaic panels, executed in 548, depicting the Emperor Justinian, clad in purple with a golden halo, standing next to court officials, Bishop Maximian, praetorian guards and deacons. The halo around his head gives him the same aspect as Christ in the dome of the apse. he is surrounded by the symbols of his power on Earth and by symbols of his spiritual power. This shows that the imperial rule of the Romans had turned in the Byzantine theocratic rule. This article is about an architectural feature; for the astronomical term see apsis. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

On the other side is Empress Theodora solemn and formal, with golden halo, crown and jewels, and a train of court ladies. She is almost depicted as a goddess. These panels are almost the only surviving examples of Byzantine secular mosaic art, and offer a glimpse into the glory, splendor and pomp of the Byzantine world. Theodora was the name of Flavia Maximiana Theodora, daughter of the Roman Emperor Maximian and second wife of the Emperor Constantius I Chlorus Theodora (6th century), Byzantine empress and wife of Justinian I Theodora (9th century), Byzantine empress in the 9th century Theodora (10th century), Roman senatrix and mother of...

The Basilica of San Vitale inspired the design of the church of the Saints Sergius and Bacchus in Constantinople, then was the model used by Charlemagne for his Palatine Chapel in Aachen in 805, and centuries later its dome was the inspiration for Filippo Brunelleschi in the design for the dome of the Duomo of Florence. The Apse of the former Church with the Mihrab. ... Map of Constantinople. ... A portrait of Charlemagne by Albrecht Dürer that was painted several centuries after Charlemagnes death. ... Charlemagnes chapel in Aachen. ... Filippo Brunelleschi, 1377 - 1446, was the first great Florentine architect of the Italian Renaissance. ... The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore is the cathedral church, or Duomo, of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Florence, noted for its distinctive dome. ...

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San Vitale (Ravenna)

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Gallery

Choir mosaics	Emperor Justinian and his retinue	Empress Theodora and her retinue	Emperor Justinian
Bishop Maximian	Lady in Waiting	Empress Theodora	Choir mosaics

Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1576x2071, 518 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Basilica of San Vitale ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2024x1489, 450 KB) Description: Title: de: Chormosaiken in San Vitale in Ravenna, Szene: Kaiser Justinian und Bischof Maximilianus und sein Hof Technique: de: Mosaik Dimensions: Country of origin: de: Italien Current location (city): de: Ravenna Current location (gallery): de: San Vitale... Image File history File links Theodora_ravenna. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1576x2074, 440 KB) Description: Title: de: Chormosaiken in San Vitale in Ravenna, Szene: Kaiser Justinian und Bischof Maximilianus und sein Hof, Detail: Büste des Justinian Technique: de: Mosaik Dimensions: Country of origin: de: Italien Current location (city): de: Ravenna Current... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1576x2065, 464 KB) Description: Title: de: Chormosaiken in San Vitale in Ravenna, Szene: Kaiser Justinian und Bischof Maximilianus und sein Hof, Detail: Maximilianus Technique: de: Mosaik Dimensions: Country of origin: de: Italien Current location (city): de: Ravenna Current location (gallery): de... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1576x2045, 450 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Basilica of San Vitale ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1576x2045, 444 KB) Description: Title: de: Chormosaiken in San Vitale in Ravenna, Szene: Kaiserin Theodora und ihr Hof, Detail: Büste der Theodora Technique: de: Mosaik Dimensions: Country of origin: de: Italien Current location (city): de: Ravenna Current location (gallery): de... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2024x1510, 410 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Basilica of San Vitale ...

External links

• History of Byzantine Architecture: San Vitale (photos)
• great Buildings On-line: San Vitale (photos)
• Adrian Fletcher's Paradoxplace Ravenna Pages (photos)

Coordinates: 44°25′14″N, 12°11′46″E Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...