Mausoleum of Galla Placidia

The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, a renowned Byzantine mausoleum in Ravenna, Italy. Built from 425-430 AD, the structure is designed in the shape of a Greek cross, and has a cupola that is entirely in mosaics, representing eight apostles and symbolical figures of doves drinking from a vessel. The other four apostles are represented on the vaults of the transverse arm; over the door is a representation of Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd, young, beardless, with flowing hair, and surrounded by sheep; opposite, there is a subject that is interpreted as representing Saint Lawrence.

Related Topics:
Galla Placidia - Byzantine - Ravenna - Italy - Greek cross - Cupola - Mosaics - Apostles - Jesus Christ - Saint Lawrence

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The building contains three sarcophagi; the largest is said to have been that of Galla Placidia, and that her embalmed body was deposited there in a sitting position, clothed with the imperial mantle; in 1577, however, the contents of the sarcophagus were accidentally burned.

Related Topics:
Sarcophagi - Galla Placidia

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The sarcophagus to the right is attributed to Emperor Valentinian III or to Galla Placindia's brother, Emperor Honorius. The one on the left is attributed to Galla Placindia's husband, Emperor Constantius III.

Related Topics:
Valentinian III - Honorius - Constantius III

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thin, translucent panels of stone admit light into the structure through the windows.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The building is one of the eight structures in Ravenna that was included as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1996.

Related Topics:
UNESCO - World Heritage Site

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Image:Meister des Mausoleums der Galla Placidia in Ravenna 001.jpg|Ceiling mosaic in Galla Placidia Masoleum

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Image:Meister des Mausoleums der Galla Placidia in Ravenna 002.jpg|The good shepard - Galla Placidia Masoleum

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Image:Ravenna 1978 077.jpg|Galla Placidia Mausoleum

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Image:Ravenna 1978 079.jpg|Insiede Galla Placidia Mausoleum

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~