Baptistery of the Cathedral (Ravenna)

Exterior view

The Baptistery of the Cathedral of Ravenna (also called the Baptistery of the Orthodox or Neonian Baptistery ) is the oldest surviving structure in Ravenna , Italy , at least in terms of the start of construction.

It is especially famous - like the other Byzantine buildings in Ravenna - for the wall and ceiling mosaics inside. With the other early church buildings in Ravenna, the baptistery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Due to the high quality of its decoration and its overwhelming overall impression, it is called the most beautiful late antique interior.

Building history

The baptistery (i.e. baptistery ) dates back to the 4th or 5th century when Bishop Orso began building the Ravenna Cathedral . It is a simple brick building, octagonal and with large niches that extend outwards, with walled-in doors. The mosaic decoration dates from the time of Bishop Neon (from whom the name Neonic Baptistery is derived) in the middle of the 5th century (451–475). In the center of the dome is a large medallion with the baptism of Christ. The original floor level was much lower and was later raised by about three meters, which means that the mosaic zone appears to be drawn too much downward.

inner space

Ceiling mosaic

Christ stands in the middle of the green river Jordan , John the Baptist, dressed in fur, holds a cross and with the other hand pours water over the head of Jesus. The light areas (including the heads of Christ and John; pouring out the baptismal water from a bowl, not late antique) are modern reconstructions.

Two concentric friezes are arranged around the medallion of the dome. The inner one is formed by the twelve apostles led by Peter and Paul. Eight niche architectures form the outer ring: four altars with the books of the Gospels and four hetoimasias in between . It is probably a symbolic representation of the heavenly Jerusalem, where Christ sits as judge on his throne and the elect are rewarded with a place near the word of God, so here again redemption as the central theme.

The walls behind the arches are alternately decorated with marble inlays. Above this is a window zone, which is covered with a column position. Between the columns there are niches with large stucco reliefs, which were originally colored.

In the middle of the baptistery there is an octagonal baptismal font made of Greek marble and purple stone (13th century). It was rebuilt in 1500, but some of the original fragments have been preserved. The ambo dates from the 5th century, carved from a single block of marble on which the priest climbed to give baptism.