Arian Baptistery, Ravenna
The Arian Baptistery (Battistero degli Ariani) is a small ancient building hidden in narrow streets, in the heart of Ravenna. Nevertheless, this place possesses great cultural, artistic and religious value particularly because of its fascinating mosaics as well as its ripe old age. Besides that, the baptistery is considered to be a World Heritage site.
History of the Arian Baptistery
During the reign of Theoderic the Great Arianism, one of the early Christian denominations was the dominant religion in Ravenna at court. Then in the early 6th century ordered to build a place where people who belonged to Ravenna Cathedral could be christened. This plain-looking construction was completed pretty quickly and later decorated with beautiful mosaics. In 546 church denounced Arianism as heretical doctrine. After that, the baptistery was turned into an oratory of Saint Mary.
In the 16th century the cathedral nearby was fully reconstructed, then the oratory came into private ownership in the 18th century. The ancient building belonged to the noble family till 1914.
In the mid-20th century, the baptistery was enclosed with a thick wall made of houses where people lived. However, the bombings during the World War II destroyed them, the construction survived through it. It was abandoned for few decades, but in 1996 UNESCO included the baptistery into their list of World Heritage Sites. After that restoration works were performed on the building.
Design and mosaics
The baptistery has a simple exterior design and resembles the Baptistery of Neon. It has an octagonal foundation, its walls are created out of fired bricks, arched windows can be found on the top level. Old tiled roof adds a lot to this ancient religious site. Taking into account its impressive age (1500 years) the building subsided to a depth of 2,25 meters compared to its original level.
Interior
The interior design of the baptistery is just as ordinary as the exterior one – bare walls and a marble baptismal font in the center. Simplicity, no pomposity – that’s what makes the building so suitable for its intended purpose.
Dome
The dome, however, is a true work of art. It is fully covered with a famous, fascinating mosaic which was created in a more simplistic and monumental manner – not something you’ll usually see in the 5th-century mosaics in the Baptistery of Neon. Such style was typical for the Ostrogoths that ruled over Ravenna. Historians claim that the mosaic was made by 5 different artists that worked on it at the same time. Of course, it demonstrates baptism as the main ceremony that the baptistery was created for in the first place. An episode where Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River and a dove coming from the heavens is depicted in the dome’s center. By the way, the water stream allegorically resembles a grey-haired old man and Christ is nude.
The mosaic that encircles the main one portrays 12 apostles heading towards the throne. There are halos over their heads and crowns in hands. However, Peter can be seen holding the Keys of Heaven and Paul – a scroll. Each disciple of Jesus is separated with palm trees from one another. This is how the difference between Arianism and the main Christian denomination was illustrated. This wonderful ancient mosaic stands in a stark contrast with the simple façade and interiors.
How to get
The baptistery is located in the center of Ravenna, on Piazzetta degli Ariani. You can also reach the Brancaleone Fortress and Monument to Martyrs by walking through several narrow streets. The Viale Farini Liceo bus stop is situated on a square near the monument. You can catch buses №1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 70, 80, 90, 140, 141, 151, 154, 155, 161, and 195 there.
Opening hours: during the wintertime from 08:30 till 16:30, during the summertime from 08:30 till 19:30. The last admission is accepted 15 minutes before the closing time. Contact numbers: (+39) 0544 543724, (+39) 0544 543710.
Admission: a full ticket will cost you 1 euro, a reduced one – 0,5 (available for students between the ages 18 and 25). People under 18 are free of charge.
