Mosaic Hunting in Northern Italy

We have just made our final arrangements to go on a holiday to northern Italy to seek out the Byzantine treasures of Aquileia, Venice, and Ravenna.

I am looking forward to relaxing and exploring the sights despite the weakness of the Pound Sterling against the Euro! There will be a full update of the trip on the blog with pictures; this gives me a real reason to sort out the photographs section.

My wife and I will be visiting:

Aquileia – most famous for the mosaic floor of its Basilica, some 750 sq m!

The wonderful mosaic floor of the Basilica at Aquiliea

Venice  – needing no introduction, Venice houses many Byzantine treasures looted during the capture of Constantinople by the Ventians and Crusaders in 1204.

One of the Quadriga bronze horses

Ravenna – to visit all these wonderful places!

 

The Emperor Justinian and courtiers – Basilica of San Vitale

• Neonian Baptistery (c. 430)
• Mausoleum of Galla Placidia (c. 430)
• Arian Baptistry (c. 500)
• Archiepiscopal Chapel (c. 500)
• Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo (c. 500)
• Mausoleum of Theodoric (520)
• Basilica of San Vitale (548)
• Basilica of Sant’ Apollinare in Classe (549)

Plus plenty of good food and wine!