Ravenna - San Vitale

Beyond San Vitale is the mausoleum of Galla Placidia (c. 440), in the form of a Latin cross, with a barrel-vaulted roof and a dome over the crossing. The interior is decorated with beautiful mosaics (fifth century) on a dark blue ground - a cross, the symbols of the Evangelists, figures of the Apostles, above the door Christ as the Good Shepherd. To the rear and in the two lateral arms of the cross are marble sarcophagi, said to be those of Galla Placidia, her second husband Constantius III (d. 421) and her son Valentinian III (d. 455).

The interior of the church of San Vitale, which has been freed from later additions with the exception of the Baroque frescoes in the dome, is divided by eight piers into a central space and a surrounding ambulatory. The principal interest lies in its mosaics in Byzantine style. The sixth century mosaics in the choir apse (below, left and right) depict Justinian and his wife Theodora, who are accompanied by their suite (next to the emperor is Archbishop Maximilian); above is Christ on a sphere flanked by St Vitalis (on the left) and St Ecclesius (on the right). The altar is of translucent alabaster.