I have had the joy of traveling a fair amount throughout my life. Of all my travels, Ravenna is THE PLACE on Planet Earth, for a mosaic lover. Why is this, you ask?
The mosaics in Ravenna are located mostly within 8 churches, that are still standing and in great condition, 1500+ years after being constructed. That’s right. These churches were built in the range of 430 to 539 CE. The reason why this is so significant is that there were no machines back then, so every little piece of tile and glass was hand cut, which amounts to millions and millions of pieces. Additionally, the mortar and adhesive that was used back then has sustained for nearly 1600 years! The other amazing thing is that Italy has been invaded and bombed consistently within that period and these mosaics are still standing! These 8 buildings of Ravenna are in the World Heritage List.
Additionally, Ravenna is the birth place and now final resting place of Dante, author the Divine Comedy and The Inferno. So when visiting, be sure to stop by and pay your respects. He is buried in a tomb located next to the Basilica of San Francesco.
As described in Lonely Planet’s Discover Italy, “Of the region’s artists jewels, none shine brighter than Ravenna’s early Christian and Byzantine mosaics. Described as a symphony of colour by Dante in his Divine Comedy, they date to Ravenna’s golden age…”
After walking through the churches, our minds were blown by the symphony of color. My heart was full. My spirit was bursting with amazement and joy. And when we walked out of the Basilica of San Vitale, we came across this lovely contemporary mosaic art shop, Annafietta Mosaicisti. It is my most favorite place that I visited in all of Italy. They have LOADS of gorgeous mosaic pieces, but also sell the coolest glass I’ve ever seen. I’ve worked with stained glass for over 30 years, and the glass at this place left me ecstatic. I bought some of their glass, and hand carried it back to the states, and some of my smaller pieces are made with it.
Ravenna is worth the pilgrimage! Godere!
