In both the Basilica of San Vitale and the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare
in Classe – both consecrated by archbishop Maximian – the
representations of the city of Jerusalem, symbol of the Jewish Church,
and of the city of Bethlehem, symbol of the Church of the Gentiles, face
each other. The mosaic in the Basilica of San Vitale draws inspiration
from the Book of Revelation: “And he carried me away in the Spirit to
a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God. It shone with the glory of God,
and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper,
clear as crystal” (Rev 21: 10-11). The city is depicted with precious
golden towered walls, adorned with pearls and gems. The large access
gate is enriched with pendilia, just like the crowns worn by Theodora
and Justinian. The sky is realised with partly deep blue and partly gold
tesserae. A Latin inscription identifies the city, and below a cypress
tree, symbol of eternity, grows slender and verdant.