Ravenna II

Sunday we drove back through Ravenna and stopped at the Classic Mosaic sight that we missed on Friday because we were too late in the day.  First was the Basilica di San Vitale where one end of the church is still completely covered with fabulous mosaics.

On the right is Abraham about to sacrifice Isaac with the hand of God coming down out of the clouds to stop him.

This is Christ in the center (no beard) 

Able and Melchisideck offering sacrifices to God, with Gods hand coming down from the clouds

While the fine colorful mosaics were fabulous, I also enjoys the patterns of the larger mosaics on the floor.

Next we went across the yard to Mausoleum of Galla Placidia.  The cieling is a starry night with over 800 stars.

It was quite dark and so my pictures are rather blurry.

Here is one of my favorites - "The Good Shepard"

The Basilica as we walked back through the grounds.

Flying Buttresses

Bell tower

We next drove across town to the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo.  

Here all the upper walls along the main chapel are covered with fabulous mosaics.

One the of the things I really liked was on the very top row were 13 panels that told new testament stories of Jesus.

Christ with 4 angels

On the right you can see the three magi coming to see the Christ child.

Bell Tower

After seeing the mosaics in Ravenna, I am very interested in doing more study and research into the ancient church to see how similar their beliefs and practices are to the restored Gospel.

I have also fallen in love with mosacis.  When I get home and have some spare time on my hands I plan in learning how to do mosaics and complete several projects.  Should be fun.

San Leo

After San Marino we went to San Leo.  Smaller, more quaint, less touristy.  Very nice.

nice picture in front of a shop/ store.

After San Leo, we drove back to our hotel in Cervia on the coast between Rimini and Ravenna. We went down to the beach and dipped our toes in the Adriatic.

The Cinquecento is really a small car.

San Marino

Saturday we went to San Marino  A gorgeous country on a hill.  Lots of  neat little shops as you walk up to the old castle.

A liquor store with an empty baby stroller in it.  To me a stark contrast.

Dennis and Joanne Keeffer - Our Friends

Castle #2 on this mountain

Peggy with the pretty flowers in October

Castle #1

Peggy & Joanne

Going back to Castle #1

The flag of San Marino

I as tall as this knight! (he was standing on a large block of wood)

Panel in the door of the Governor's Mansion (see the three castles)

Pinocchio

Ravenna I

Next on Friday was Ravenna - a city famous for its mosaics.

Courtyard across the street from the church.

Inside the baptistery

Dome above baptistery.  The mosaics were fabulous!

Baptism font.  Yes they immersed them back then

A painting in the church.  Here is Moses.  He appears to have horns coming from his head.  This is meant to show power.

A wonderful mosaic street sign

Ferarra - October 3, 2014

This weekend was our trip with the Keeffers.  We had a fabulous time.  We visited Ferrara, Ravenna, San marino, San Leo, and Ravenna again!  There are several posts for the weekend.  In order to get the pictures out so you can see the sights. (I'm sure that is all you really want to see.  And you you could care less about my rambling) I will write much less and get these all published.  Happy viewing.

Castello di Ferarra

Friday was market day.  Lots of serious shoppers.  The two ladies in the middle were at this table of bras and such.  I missed the best shot when they were each holding up a bra to themselves to see if it would fit and how it looked on each other.

Not sure of the story here.  But this guy looks like he is either casting an evil spell or banishing beasts to outer darkness.

Market day.  It was crazy

Old men on bikes in front of the duomo

This facade of the Duomo was very interesting. See the 4 guys crawling out of their graves toward the bottom of the picture?  Then the row of resurrected folks above them?  The ones on our right are naked and going to hell.  While the ones on our left have clothes on and are going to heaven.

On the draw bridge of the Castello

Unique bread of Ferrara.  Two long crescent type rolls bunched together to look like an angel? or some insect?

Pumpkin stuffed ravioli  Very good.

Fancy house that had these large wall frescos of the 12 signs of the months and seasons.  Here is Taurus the Bull.