architecture

Basilica of San Vitale

Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Basilica di San Vitale [Italian]

Architecture

built
526-547
culture
Italian, Byzantine, Christian
style/period
Byzantine
work type by function
Byzantine-Orthodox church, Roman Catholic church
work type form/concept
octagonal plan
material
brick
technique
masonry
patronage
Ecclesius, Julius Argentarius

Specifications

number cupolas
1
cupolas/domes
height (outer)
28.7 m
diameter (outer)
15.7 m
number towers
1
towers
bell tower
bells number
4

Geography

Europe » Southern Europe » Italy » Emilia-Romagna » Province of Ravenna » Ravenna » Urban Centre
local language location name
location:
Ravenna [Italian]
Ravèna [Emiliano-Romagnolo]
country:
Italia [Italian]
historical affiliations
Ostrogothic Kingdom
526-540
Byzantine Empire
540-751
Exarchate of Ravenna
584-751
Kingdom of the Lombards
751-756
Papal States
756-1218
Holy Roman Empire
800-924
Holy Roman Empire
962-1177
Ravenna (city-state)
1218-1275
Papal States
1275-1441
Republic of Venice
1441-1509
Papal States
1509-1796
Napoleonic Italy
1796-1814
Papal States
1814-1861

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna
type
cultural
criteria
I, II, III, IV
designation
reference
788
Basilica of San Vitale, south elevation
Basilica of San Vitale, south elevation Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Basilica of San Vitale, east elevation at sunrise
Basilica of San Vitale, east elevation at sunrise Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Basilica of San Vitale, interior
Basilica of San Vitale, interior Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Basilica of San Vitale, view from the choir up to the ceiling and the half-dome of the apse
Basilica of San Vitale, view from the choir up to the ceiling and the half-dome of the apse Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Basilica of San Vitale, altar in front of the apse
Basilica of San Vitale, altar in front of the apse Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Basilica of San Vitale, gate to the compound
Basilica of San Vitale, gate to the compound Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Basilica of San Vitale, mosaic of the choir depicting Abraham's three visitors and his offering of Isaac
Basilica of San Vitale, mosaic of the choir depicting Abraham's three visitors and his offering of Isaac Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Basilica of San Vitale, column capitals
Basilica of San Vitale, column capitals Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Basilica of San Vitale, floor mosaic
Basilica of San Vitale, floor mosaic Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Basilica of San Vitale, mosaics of the apse with the Theodora panel
Basilica of San Vitale, mosaics of the apse with the Theodora panel Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Basilica of San Vitale, east elevation
Basilica of San Vitale, east elevation Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Basilica of San Vitale, main portal
Basilica of San Vitale, main portal Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Basilica of San Vitale, column capitals
Basilica of San Vitale, column capitals Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Basilica of San Vitale, mosaics of the choir
Basilica of San Vitale, mosaics of the choir Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Basilica of San Vitale, dome
Basilica of San Vitale, dome Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Basilica of San Vitale, arch and column capitals
Basilica of San Vitale, arch and column capitals Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Basilica of San Vitale, mosaics of the choir
Basilica of San Vitale, mosaics of the choir Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Basilica of San Vitale, bell tower
Basilica of San Vitale, bell tower Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Basilica of San Vitale, dome
Basilica of San Vitale, dome Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Basilica of San Vitale, arcades of the matroneum
Basilica of San Vitale, arcades of the matroneum Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Basilica of San Vitale, east facade detail (south elevation)
Basilica of San Vitale, east facade detail (south elevation) Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Basilica of San Vitale, mosaic of the apse
Basilica of San Vitale, mosaic of the apse Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Basilica of San Vitale, view up to the dome
Basilica of San Vitale, view up to the dome Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Basilica of San Vitale, detail of the east facade
Basilica of San Vitale, detail of the east facade Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Basilica of San Vitale, mosaic of the apse
Basilica of San Vitale, mosaic of the apse Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Basilica of San Vitale, detail of the east facade
Basilica of San Vitale, detail of the east facade Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Basilica of San Vitale, mosaic of the choir depicting the story of Abraham and Melchizedek
Basilica of San Vitale, mosaic of the choir depicting the story of Abraham and Melchizedek Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy