As part of my visit to Rome, this week I have spent a few days in Ravenna, just south of Venice, which was the political centre of Italy from the end of the fourth century to the middle of the eighth century. Throughout this period, significant civil and church buildings were constructed. The churches were decorated with superb mosaics, which today are some of the most outstanding examples of this artform; eight of the churches or chapels are listed as World Heritage sites. The mosaics in Ravenna are influenced by the Byzantine tradition, rather than the Western tradition of ceramic tiles laid on the floor. In Ravenna, the mosaics often cover whole ceilings and walls, using glass tiles that have a rich variety of colours or are fused with gold leaf. The images are exquisitely detailed and the colours are still wonderfully vivid, with repairs being needed in only a few places. They depict saints, biblical narratives, Jesus’ miracles and allegorical illustrations of discipleship. Some of the most moving are a cycle of scenes from the gospels that face a cycle showing moments in Jesus’ passion. These churches, chapels and baptisteries give a profound sense of being surrounded by the generations of believers that have gone before us.
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