Ravenna, lo scalone monumentale del Museo Arcivescovile.

Ravenna, Museo Arcivescovile, scalone di ingresso.

Museums

Archiepiscopal Museum

In addition to the Archbishop’s Chapel, UNESCO heritage site, here you can find the fascinating mosaic fragments of the lost Basilica Ursiana

Ravenna, museo Arcivescovile, foto dell'abside della cappella Arcivescovile di Andrea Bernabini.

Ravenna, Museo Arcivescovile, dettaglio della Cattedra di Massimiano, trono in avorio del VI secolo.

Inside the museum you can admire: the Throne of Maximianus –the only carved ivory throne dating back to the 6th century –and the priceless artistic heritage related to the lost Ursian basilica, destroyed in the 18th century to make way for the present cathedral. The enchanting Archiepiscopal Chapel, or Chapel of St Andrew, a UNESCO heritage site, is also located here.

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History

It is a museum of extraordinary importance, located next to the cathedral and the Neonian baptistery. It was established in 1700 at the behest of Archbishop Maffeo Niccolò Farsetti. Its rooms house masterpieces of art from all times, including the famous Throne of Maximianus – a sublime example of Byzantine art, made of ivory in the 6th century. Among the unique and precious collection of sacred objects, robes, paintings, sculptures, there are also fascinating fragments of wall mosaics from the lost Ursiana Basilica.
The mosaics were executed by Venetian craftsmen in 1112, under Archbishop Jeremiah, and decorated the apse. The scenes depicted were part of a project that aimed to celebrate, and exalt, the independence of the Church of Ravenna, founded by the city’s first bishop: Saint Apollinaris.

Must-see mosaics in this place

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Praying Virgin

This precious fragment from the 12th century represents the Virgin Mary, as indicated by the Latin inscription. She is in a praying position, arms outstretched and palms facing heaven. She stares at an indefinite point, detached and impenetrable, and invites us to pray. For the face were used very small smalti-tesserae, just a few millimetres in size, in soft colours, whose patterns imitate delicate pictorial nuances to define the features. The robe is in blue tesserae, enlivened in the drapery by slightly darker areas, suggesting the rigid movement of the tissue. She is standing on a flowery, green meadow and is immersed in a precious background of gold tesserae. Just above the halo, edged with red and white tesserae, we see the remains of two white curtains, as a frame.

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Ravenna, frammento del mosaico della Vergine Orante, Museo Arcivescovile.

Saint Barbatianus

The fragment represents Saint Barbatianus: we can still read, at the top right, the initial of his name. He was the confessor of the Empress Galla Placidia and a fundamental exponent of the Church of Ravenna. His head wears the tonsure, i.e. his hair are shaved at the top of his head, which indicated membership of the religious world. The face is thin and is defined by small smalti-tesserae, a few millimetres in size. A darker hues, tending to brown, outline both the physiognomy and the hair and thick beard. The robe, with its square neckline, is in the same gold as the background.

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Ravenna, frammento di mosaico con San Barbaziano, Museo Arcivescovile.

Saint Ursicinus

Saint Ursicinus was highly venerated in Ravenna. He was a doctor of Ligurian origin, converted to Christianity by Saint Apollinaris, who decided to follow in the Christian footsteps of Saint Vitale, to whom he is linked in his earthly life. In 972, his remains were transported to the Ursiana Basilica, together with those of St Barbatian. He is depicted here wearing rich clothing: the precious brooch stops a blue and gold cloak, with a small flower or diadem in the centre. The face is defined by small rosy enamel tesserae measuring a few millimetres. Darker tesserae, tending to brown, define the physiognomy, beard and hair. In the neck, the patterns of the small tesserae define the volumes and shadows of the muscle bands, with a graphic outcome.

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Ravenna, frammento di Mosaico con San Ursicino, Museo Arcivescovile.

Saint Peter

Against a dark background, perhaps evoking the empty tomb of Christ, emerges this intense depiction of St. Peter, who was originally accompanied by John. It comes from the decoration of the apse of the Ursian Basilica begun in 1112. Similarly the other fragments from the same period, the face is conducted with small tesserae, just a few millimetres in size. The large expressive eyes, with intense dark circles around, and the lean, hollowed-out face are emphasised, in which the patterns and plays of colour of the tesserae create luminescences and dark edges. This dramatic way of defining characters is found in some mosaics from the same period in St Mark’s Church in Venice.

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Ravenna, frammento mosaico con testa di San Petro, Museo Arcivescovile.

Info & tickets

P.za Arcivescovado, 1, 48121 Ravenna RA

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Entrance fee

Combined Ticket: € 10.50
Concession: € 9.50 (*)
The combined ticket includes the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, the Neonian Baptistery (**), the Basilica of San Vitale, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia (**), the Archiepiscopal Museum and Chapel.
The ticket is valid for 7 consecutive days from the date of issue and entitles the holder to one entry for each monument.
*Valid for Italian and foreign students during the school year, for associations with special agreements and for groups accompanied by authorized tour guides of the Region Emilia Romagna.
** There is an additional charge of €2 that applies to access the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia and Neonian Baptistery. Mandatory booking for groups. The charge applies also to children over 6 and residents of Ravenna.

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Booking

Tickets can be booked online or by contacting the Reservations Center.
In addition, tickets can also be purchased on the day of visit at the ticket offices located in each monumental complex.
For further information: www.ravennamosaici.it

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Free of charge

Children up to 10 years, citizens of Ravenna (with a valid document), disabled people with certified disability over 74% or “Carta Bianca” holders, ecclesiastics, soldiers, tourist guides of Region Emilia-Romagna at work. Journalists must request free admission in advance to the Opera di Religione by writing to info@ravennamosaici.it
For groups: 1 free tour leader every 20 paying visitors. For schools: 1 free teacher every 10 paying students.

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Ravenna, due persone ammirano un mosaico al Mar, Museo d'Arte della città di Ravenna.

Mosaic places

Explore the other Museums of Ravenna

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