Explore With Me : The City of Mosaics / Ravenna - ITALY

Hello Steemit Friends!
Before I get into details, I want to apologize for my presence in every photo. I guess back than I was more interested in taking a facebook profile picture rather than shooting the cities. That being said let’s find out a little about Ravenna, the city of mosaics.

This beautiful city has its fair share of history. It’s been the capital of three communities on three different eras.
-Capital of Western Roman Empire between the years 402-476
-Capital of Ostrogothic Kingdom between the years 493-553
-Capital of Byzantine Italy between the years 568-751
Due to its very rich history, 8 historical monuments are in UNESCO World Heritage List.

Ravenna in Italy is known as the City of Mosaics, for several of its religious buildings are decorated beautiful mosaic panels which are so detailed that it is difficult to believe that they were made in the 4th and 5th century.

The Church of San Giovanni Evangelista is one of the oldest monuments in Ravenna. It was built in the 5th century by empress Galla Placidia to fulfill a vow.

A significant amount of mosaics from the church remains as framed in sections and mounted on the side walls.

Piazza Anita Garibaldi was created in 1879 and dedicated to Anita Garibaldi by local authorities. The lions at the corners represent four crucial years for the conflicts of Risorgimento. At the top, a female figure symbolizes the city of Ravenna offering a laurel wreath to a dead soldier.

As an Italian city, it is no surprise that Ravenna has a main square, Piazza Popolo.

The Chuch of St. Maria del Suffragio is located near to Piazza del Popolo. The district it is located is called the district of the dead because of the people who died of the plague. The church was opened to the public in 1638. Again sorry for butchering the photo.

The Bacilica San Vitale is a church represents the Byzantine architecture. The church dates from the sixth century. Another must-see places in Ravenna.

Dante’s Tomb is another attraction that needs to be seen when in Ravenna. The poet died in Ravenna in 1321 during he was in exile and buried in Ravenna. Two centuries after his death, Florence requested his bones however Ravenna refused to send them and they are resting in the mausoleum built in his memory. And only a few steps from the tomb you can find the Dante Museum.

Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo was built by Ostrogoth King Theodoric in sixth century. It is considered as a great example of the early Christian basilica with its simple design.

Like all the cities, Ravenna offers amazing places to see if you just get lost in the streets.

A pool inside the a church (which I can't remember the name), the bottom is covered in mosaics and people throw coins believing their wish will come true. There were also fishes swimming inside the pool.

If you ever visit Bologna make sure to see Ravenna as well, as they are pretty close.

Hope you enjoyed reading!