Tues 1 Sept: Ravenna

Today, we took the train to Ravenna on the east coast of Italy.  The city has ancient origins and from the 5th to the 8th centuries it was the capital of the Western Roman Empire, of King Theodoric of the Goths and of the Byzantine empire in Europe.  It was a powerful political and religious centre.

It is best known for its amazing mosaics.  the early Christian and Byzantine buildings have been recognised by Unesco as world heritage.

It was another stinking hot 35º day so we kept to the shade when we could.  We also bought two straw hats.  At 4 euros each (about $5.50) they clearly represent the highest level of Italian fashion.  We could only get two exactly the same, so we did feel slightly ridiculous walking around like twins.  But I didn't care  --  it was too hot to care!!!  (You will NOT see a photo of us wearing the hats!  Not yet anyway.  Maybe at the very end of the blog  --  just to see if you keep reading.)


The main town square (Piazza del Popolo) did not impress us.  Quite plain in comparison to others.

We went to the following monuments on the UNESCO World Heritage list:
1.  Cappella Di St Andrea
2.  Battistero Degli Ortodoss
3.  Basilica di St Vitale
4.  Mausoleo di Galla Placidia
5.  Battistero degli Ariana

They were all amazing for different reasons.  Sometimes, we were not allowed to take photos.  Sometimes, we could only take photos with no flash.  But photos don't do justice to the amazing mosaics we saw.

 Daryl found the café that advertised gluten-free food in Ravenna.  We ordered gluten-free pizzas.  Clearly, online research is not always reliable.  It was a tiny café in a side laneway.

When the pizzas came out, they were pre-cooked ones sealed in plastic containers and re-heated in a microwave!!!  AND they were dreadful.  And this is Italy  --  the home of the pizza!!!  Very disappointing.  However, the girl serving was very friendly and said her dream was to go to Australia.  She can leave her pizza recipes in Ravenna!!!

 The window panes were very thin sheets of alabaster that let filtered light through.

Our favourite was the Mausoleo di Galla Placidia.  It shows hundreds of stars in the sky.

And there was time for more gelato ...

before visiting the last monument, Battistero deli Ariani (the Arian Baptistery).

It was a long and tiring day in the heat, and when we got home I headed straight for the shower.  It was then that I realised that we didn't need to go to Ravenna  --  we had our own mosaics in our own apartment!