Ravenna

Last year at the end of February I went on a trip to Italy. Because I’d been to Italy at least half a dozens times before, I felt I knew what to expect. Ravenna, however, completely redefined Italy for me. How could I not have known of this city which played such a massive role in the early Christian Church? Staring my ignorance in the face is an exercise which makes me incredibly uncomfortable, but travel often forces me to. Visiting Ravenna certainly did. After recovering from the process, I usually find that I’ve been sufficiently humbled and there’s a sense of gratitude for my newfound knowledge.

The pictures in this album are a collection of Byzantine architecture and mosaics which date from approximately 425-550. Coming from a young country, it’s difficult for me to wrap my head around the age of these mosaics. I think living in the UK has helped stretch my understanding of history; I can now just begin to conceptualize what the world may have looked like from about 1300. That wasn’t much use, though, when I started seeing dates ranging from 400-600. The year 500 feels very much out of reach. It is much closer to Jesus than to the present.

Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo 493-526

Mausoleo di Galla Placidia 425-450

Battistero Neoniano 450-475

Museo Arcivescovile di Ravenna, Cappella di Sant’Andrea 494-519

Basilica di San Vitale 547

---