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Late fifth century mosaics, Ca****la Arcivescovile, Ravenna - The atrium is decorated with a very beautiful image of the...
10/19/2025

Late fifth century mosaics, Ca****la Arcivescovile, Ravenna - The atrium is decorated with a very beautiful image of the triumphant Christ.

Christ Treading on the Beasts - Christ is depicted as a beardless man with a cruciform halo wearing military clothing. He is holding the cross on his shoulder and an open book in his other hand. The book contains a Latin verse from the Gospel of John - EGO SVM VIA VERITAS ET VITA + (I am the way, the truth and the life) — Christ is depicted as standing on the head of a lion and the head of a snake. This is likely intended to be a depiction of Psalm 91 and symbolically represent Christ’s triumph over death and Satan.

This chapel was built in the late fifth century by Archbishop Peter II of Ravenna (494-519), circa 495 and was dedicated to Saint Peter Chrysologus, Archbishop of Ravenna (433-450). The chapel is part of the museo arcivescovile di Ravenna, which was founded in 1734 and is the oldest diocesan museum in Italy. The Archbishop’s Chapel is considered to be a world heritage site by UNESCO.

Late fifth century mosaics, Ca****la Arcivescovile, Ravenna - These exceptional mosaics are a unique window into Late An...
10/12/2025

Late fifth century mosaics, Ca****la Arcivescovile, Ravenna - These exceptional mosaics are a unique window into Late Antique Italy a few years before the Byzantine reconquest.

Medallion image of Christ - Christ is depicted as being beardless with a cruciform golden halo. His clothing is purple with a golden stripe, representing both his human and divine natures. Christ ia looking directly at the viewer from the top of the arch — Medallion images of Saint James and Saint Thomas - Saint James is shown as a young man with a dark beard wearing white vestments, a sign of purity. He is identified by a Latin inscription IACOBVS. Saint Thomas is likewise identified as a young man with a slightly longer beard and is also wearing white vestments. He is identified with a Latin inscription as THOMAS — Decorative cruciform floral motifs and images of birds, which symbolize angelic beings.

This chapel was built in the late fifth century by Archbishop Peter II of Ravenna (494-519), circa 495 and was dedicated to Saint Peter Chrysologus, Archbishop of Ravenna (433-450). The chapel is part of the museo arcivescovile di Ravenna, which was founded in 1734 and is the oldest diocesan museum in Italy. The Archbishop’s Chapel is considered to be a world heritage site by UNESCO.

Late fifth century mosaics, Ca****la Arcivescovile, Ravenna - These beautiful mosaics were made in Late Antique Ravenna ...
10/04/2025

Late fifth century mosaics, Ca****la Arcivescovile, Ravenna - These beautiful mosaics were made in Late Antique Ravenna just after the fall of the Western Roman Empire and just before the Byzantine reconquest of Italy.

This vault mosaic is centered with a medallion image of a chi-rho Christogram, representing the Greek letters XP, the first two letters of Christ and the Greek Letters A and Ѡ, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, symbolizing Christ as the beginning and end of all — There are medallion images of a series of female saints - Saints Euphemia, Eugenia, Cecilia, Daria, Perpetua and Felicity — Saint Euphemia is depicted as a young woman wearing beautiful jewels around her neck like an empress and is identified by a Latin inscription EVFIMIA. The sense is that the saint is triumphant through her witness.

Saint Euphemia was martyred in 303 AD in Chalcedon for refusing to participate during pagan sacrifices, part of the Great Persecution of the Emperor Diocletian (286-305). This chapel was built in the late fifth century by Archbishop Peter II of Ravenna (494-519), circa 495 and was dedicated to Saint Peter Chrysologus, Archbishop of Ravenna (433-450). The chapel is part of the museo arcivescovile di Ravenna, which was founded in 1734 and is the oldest diocesan museum in Italy. The Archbishop’s Chapel is considered to be a world heritage site by UNESCO.

Late fifth century apse mosaic, Ca****la Arcivescovile, Ravenna - The beautiful apse mosaic, demonstrating great skill a...
09/28/2025

Late fifth century apse mosaic, Ca****la Arcivescovile, Ravenna - The beautiful apse mosaic, demonstrating great skill and freshness was made a few years after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

An image of Christ, shown as a beardless man with a cruciform halo, is directly above the apse. Christ is flanked by images of Saint Peter, identified by the Latin PETRVS and Saint Paul, identified by the Latin PAVLVS. The apse is decorated with a golden cross and stars, representing Christ and eternity. Above the apse, there is a vine, representing the church, with the monogram of Archbishop Peter II who commissioned the mosaic at the top. Medallion mosaics of Christ and the Apostles Peter, Paul, James John, Andrew and Phillip decorate the sides of the apse.

This chapel was built in the late fifth century by Archbishop Peter II of Ravenna (494-519), circa 495 and was dedicated to Saint Peter Chrysologus, Archbishop of Ravenna (433-450). The chapel is part of the museo arcivescovile di Ravenna, which was founded in 1734 and is the oldest diocesan museum in Italy. The Archbishop’s Chapel is considered to be a world heritage site by UNESCO.

Late fifth century ceiling mosaics, Ca****la Arcivescovile, Ravenna - These beautiful mosaics were made in the short per...
09/21/2025

Late fifth century ceiling mosaics, Ca****la Arcivescovile, Ravenna - These beautiful mosaics were made in the short period of time in between the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the Byzantine reconquest of Italy in the sixth century.

Four angels are shown holding a chi-rho Christogram medallion at the centre of the ceiling. In between the four angels are the figures of four creatures, representing the four evangelists. A winged lion holding a book represents Saint Mark the Evangelist. A winged ox holding a book represents Saint Luke the Evangelist. A winged human holding a book represents Saint Matthew the Evangelist and an eagle holding a book represents Saint John the Evangelist.

This chapel was built in the late fifth century, circa 495, during the reign of the Ostrogothic King Theodoric (474-526). The chapel was used by the Bishop of Ravenna adhering to Nicene orthodoxy and was dedicated to Saint Peter Chrysologus, Archbishop of Ravenna (433-450). The chapel is part of the museo arcivescovile di Ravenna, which was founded in 1734 and is the oldest diocesan museum in Italy. The Archbishop’s Chapel is considered to be a world heritage site by UNESCO.

Sixth century apse mosaic, Euphrasian Basilica, Poreč (Parenzo), Istria County, Croatia - The archway around the apse mo...
09/07/2025

Sixth century apse mosaic, Euphrasian Basilica, Poreč (Parenzo), Istria County, Croatia - The archway around the apse mosaic is beautifully decorated with medallion images of twelve female martyrs.

Saint Thecla is shown wearing golden clothing with fine jewels around her neck. She has a white covering on her head and a golden halo, symbols of her sanctity and martyrdom. She is identified by a Latin inscription SCA TECLA — Saint Valieria of Milan is likewise depicted weaning fine clothing with jewellery around her neck, a white covering on her head and a golden halo, which are symbols of her martyrdom. SCA VALERIA — Saint Justina of Padova is depicted in fine gold clothing and like the other saints looks directly at the viewer with her golden halo representing her sanctity behind her head. This image shows details of the decorative gemstone designs that surround the medallion images. She is identified by a Latin inscription SCA IVSTINA — Saint Agnes is shown looking directly at the viewer with her halo the symbol of her witness and sanctity. She is identified by a Latin inscription SCA AGNES.

Saint Thecla was a first century Christian who was a follower of Saint Paul and was martyred in the city of Iconium. Saint Valeria of Milan was a first century Christian from a noble family in Milan. She was martyred along with her husband Vitalis and their sons Gervasius and Protasius. Saint Justina of Padova was martyred in the anti-Christian persecutions of the Emperor Diocletian in the year 303 AD. Saint Agnes was a youth who was martyred in Rome in the year 304 during the persecutions of Diocletian. The present Euphrasian Basilica was built in 553 by Bishop Euphrasius of Parentium on the site of an older basilica. The current basilica was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and was decorated with mosaics in the sixth century with the apse and triumphal arch mosaics dating to the sixth century. Unfortunately other portions of the church’s mosaics have been lost in time. In 1277, a ciborium was added and was decorated with mosaics by Venetian mosaicists. Restoration work was done on the mosaics in the nineteenth and twentieth century and some of the original floor mosaics from the fourth and fifth century have survived beneath the basilica. The basilica remains an active cathedral and is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Sixth century apse mosaic, Euphrasian Basilica, Poreč, Istria County, Croatia - The archway around the apse mosaic is be...
08/31/2025

Sixth century apse mosaic, Euphrasian Basilica, Poreč, Istria County, Croatia - The archway around the apse mosaic is beautifully decorated with medallion images of twelve female martyrs.

Saint Euphemia is shown as a young woman looking directly at the viewer wearing a necklace and jewels around her neck. She has a white head covering and a golden halo. She is identified by a Latin inscription as SCA EVFYMIA — Saint Susana has a very youthful face and is likewise looking directly at the viewer. She is wearing a jeweled garment and a necklace and has a golden halo and a white covering on her head. She is identified by a Latin inscription SCA SVSANNA.

Saint Euphemia was a Christian virgin and martyr of the city of Chalcedon in Bythynia. She was martyred in the year 303 AD at the beginning of the great persecution under the Emperor Diocletian (284-305). Saint Susanna was a Christian virgin martyred in the late third century in Rome during the anti-Christian persecutions of the emperor Diocletian. Both Saints Euphemia and Susanna became widely venerated as martyrs who were witnesses unto death of unwavering faith. The present Euphrasian Basilica was built in 553 by Bishop Euphrasius of Parentium on the site of an older basilica. The current basilica was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and was decorated with mosaics in the sixth century with the apse and triumphal arch mosaics dating to the sixth century. Unfortunately other portions of the church’s mosaics have been lost in time. In 1277, a ciborium was added and was decorated with mosaics by Venetian mosaicists. Restoration work was done on the mosaics in the nineteenth and twentieth century and some of the original floor mosaics from the fourth and fifth century have survived beneath the basilica. The basilica remains an active cathedral and is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Sixth century apse mosaic, Euphrasian Basilica, Poreč, Istria County, Croatia - This beautiful Late Antique dedication c...
08/24/2025

Sixth century apse mosaic, Euphrasian Basilica, Poreč, Istria County, Croatia - This beautiful Late Antique dedication captures the likeness of those who built this church and reveal their mindset.

Bishop Euphrasius is shown offering Mary and Christ the church, which he is holding in his hands. Euphrasius is identified by a Latin inscription as EVFRASIVS EPS — To the left of the bishop is an image of the Archdeacon Claudius holding a book. He is identified by a Latin inscription CLAVDIVS ARC and next to him is the image of a boy, who is identified as his son Euphrasius by a Latin inscription EVFRASIVS FIL ARC — Saint Maurus of Parentium is shown holding his crown of martyrdom and is identified by a Latin inscription SCS MAVRVS.

Saint Maurus was the first known bishop of the Diocese of Parentium (modern Poreč) and he was martyred circa 304 during the anti-Christian persecution of the Emperor Diocletian and subsequently became the patron saint of the city of Parentium. The present Euphrasian Basilica was built in 553 by Bishop Euphrasius of Parentium on the site of an older basilica. The current basilica was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and was decorated with mosaics in the sixth century with the apse and triumphal arch mosaics dating to the sixth century. Unfortunately other portions of the church’s mosaics have been lost in time. In 1277, a ciborium was added and was decorated with mosaics by Venetian mosaicists. Restoration work was done on the mosaics in the nineteenth and twentieth century and some of the original floor mosaics from the fourth and fifth century have survived beneath the basilica. The basilica remains an active cathedral and is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Sixth century apse mosaic, Euphrasian Basilica, Poreč, Istria County, Croatia - This beautiful apse mosaic is one of the...
08/17/2025

Sixth century apse mosaic, Euphrasian Basilica, Poreč, Istria County, Croatia - This beautiful apse mosaic is one of the finest to have survived intact to the present day from this period.

The apse mosaic is centered on an image of the Virgin Mary enthroned holding the Christ child. Mary is looking directly at the viewer and presenting Christ to the viewer. Christ, who is holding a scroll is giving the view a blessing with his other hand — Two archangels flank Mary and Jesus. The archangels are wearing diadems on their foreheads and hold staffs — Above Mary, the hand of God appears descending with a crown towards her head. There are blue, red and white clouds, symbolizing heaven, surrounding the hand of God.

The city was known in Roman times as Parentium and it became part of the Eastern Roman Empire in 538. The present Euphrasian Basilica was built in 553 by Bishop Euphrasius of Parentium on the site of an older basilica. The current basilica was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and was decorated with mosaics in the sixth century with the apse and triumphal arch mosaics dating to the sixth century. Unfortunately other portions of the church’s mosaics have been lost in time. In 1277, a ciborium was added and was decorated with mosaics by Venetian mosaicists. Restoration work was done on the mosaics in the nineteenth and twentieth century and some of the original floor mosaics from the fourth and fifth century have survived beneath the basilica. The basilica remains an active cathedral and is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Sixth century apse mosaics, Euphrasian Basilica, Poreč, Istria County, Croatia - These fine mosaics depict Mary and her ...
08/10/2025

Sixth century apse mosaics, Euphrasian Basilica, Poreč, Istria County, Croatia - These fine mosaics depict Mary and her role in bringing Christ to the world.

The Annunciation - The Virgin Mary is shown as a young woman seated with a halo, wearing a transparent veil and spinning purple wool. The Archangel Gabriel is shown wearing a diadem on his forehead and blessing her, as Mary looks back touching her face with a pensive gaze — The Visitation - This is a beautiful depiction of the Virgin Mary pregnant coming to visit the home of her cousin Saint Elizabeth who is also pregnant with Saint John the Baptist. Saint Elizabeth who is dressed in golden clothing is welcoming Mary as her child in the womb leaps at the nearby presence of Christ in the womb of Mary — At the centre of the apse there is an image of a triumphant Mary seated on a throne holding the Christ child and they are flanked by angels and the hand of God is placing a crown above Mary. There is a golden background behind them, representing eternity and clouds above them, representing heaven. Both Mary and Christ are looking directly at the viewer - Mary is presenting Christ who is giving a blessing.

The city was known in Roman times as Parentium and it became part of the Eastern Roman Empire in 538. The present Euphrasian Basilica was built in 553 by Bishop Euphrasius of Parentium on the site of an older basilica. The current basilica was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and was decorated with mosaics in the sixth century with the apse and triumphal arch mosaics dating to the sixth century. Unfortunately other portions of the church’s mosaics have been lost in time. In 1277, a ciborium was added and was decorated with mosaics by Venetian mosaicists. Restoration work was done on the mosaics in the nineteenth and twentieth century and some of the original floor mosaics from the fourth and fifth century have survived beneath the basilica. The basilica remains an active cathedral and is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Sixth century mosaics, Basilica of San Vitale, Ravenna - These fine Late Antique mosaics showcase the symbolic use of an...
08/03/2025

Sixth century mosaics, Basilica of San Vitale, Ravenna - These fine Late Antique mosaics showcase the symbolic use of animals in Christian iconography.

Saint Mark the Evangelist - Saint Mark is depicted with a white beard, white hair and a halo. He is holding his gospel and in front of him is a writing stand with a quill and ink. He is identified by a Latin inscription on his gospel SECVNDVM MARCVM. Standing above him, is a fierce looking male lion that represents the evangelist, the Lion of Saint Mark — Saint Luke the Evangelist - Saint Luke is depicted with a white beard, white hair and a halo. He is giving a blessing with his hands. Next to him there is a container with scrolls and he is holding his gospel, containing a Latin inscription SECVNDVM LVCA. There is a bird fishing in the water below him. A white ox that represents the evangelist is standing above him, the Ox of Saint Luke — Details of decorative mosaics are given, showing two birds seated on a container with ripe fruit. Birds often represent angelic beings and ripe fruit is a symbol of the good fruits and harvest leading to paradise.

The basilica of San Vitale was built from 526-547 in Ravenna, having been commissioned by Saint Ecclesius, Bishop of Ravenna (521-532) and financed by a wealthy patron named Julius Argentarius. The church was built to house the remains of an early Christian martyr, Saint Vitalis of Milan, who was a Roman army officer who was martyred in the second century because of his Christian faith in Ravenna. The basilica was consecrated in 547 by Saint Maximianus, Bishop of Ravenna (546-556). The Late Antique mosaics and structure of the basilica have remained unchanged, however frescoes were added to the dome in the eighteenth century. The mosaics contained in San Vitale are some of the finest examples of Byzantine mosaics to have survived to the present day. This church was given the honor of a minor basilica by Pope John XXIII in 1960 and is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Sixth century images of Christ, Basilica of San Vitale, Ravenna - Details of symbolic decorative mosaics that serve as a...
07/27/2025

Sixth century images of Christ, Basilica of San Vitale, Ravenna - Details of symbolic decorative mosaics that serve as a beautiful backdrop on the mosaic panels.

There are decorative maritime images surrounding the medallion images of Christ and the Apostles. The images include two green sea creatures with interlocking tails. These creatures are thought to depict dolphins and in-between the dolphins is a golden sea shell. The border of the medallion around Christ is in the form of a rainbow. The shell is a funerary symbol of resurrection. The rainbow is a symbol of divine blessing — The peacock, which is shown with its tail feathers open, is a symbol of resurrection. Above the peacock is a pomegranate tree with ripe fruit and below it is an image of two sea creatures bound by their tails — A grape vine is depicted growing from a vase. There are ripe bunches of grapes hanging from the vine and birds are in its branches. The vine represents Christ and his church and the grapes represent the good works of the faithful.

The basilica of San Vitale was built from 526-547 in Ravenna, having been commissioned by Saint Ecclesius, Bishop of Ravenna (521-532) and financed by a wealthy patron named Julius Argentarius. The church was built to house the remains of an early Christian martyr, Saint Vitalis of Milan, who was a Roman army officer who was martyred in the second century because of his Christian faith in Ravenna. The basilica was consecrated in 547 by Saint Maximianus, Bishop of Ravenna (546-556). The Late Antique mosaics and structure of the basilica have remained unchanged, however frescoes were added to the dome in the eighteenth century. The mosaics contained in San Vitale are some of the finest examples of Byzantine mosaics to have survived to the present day. This church was given the honor of a minor basilica by Pope John XXIII in 1960 and is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

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