Ravenna3 Jan 2010
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Interior mosaics of 6th cent. Basilica St. Vitale
Marble wall in basilica
Marble floor mosaics
| We set out to visit Ravenna for the purpose of birdwatching in the Po River delta. We'd been told that many far northern birds migrate only as far south as this estuary rather than further south into Africa. When we arrived into Ravenna we discovered the best and most extensive ancient mosiacs we've ever seen anywhere ! The Basilicas San Vitale & Apollinare Nuovo, Masoleum Galla Placidia, and Battisteros Degli Ariani & Orsodossi were phenomenal ! And when one considers that these are 5th & 6th century buildings the 'awe' adds 'some'. I can only hope that the photos begin to depict the extensive size and exquisite details; though the mausoleum & baptistries are quite small, maybe 25 feet in diameter and 15 feet high. (There's actually 20 photos added to this entry - the beauty of working from one's own computer with a fiber inet connection !!) We did rent a car for one day and drove along the coast to the Po delta region to view birds. Mostly we saw a great number of hawks, partridge, and pheasants - no, not peasants. Ravenna was a very pleasant surprise. |
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