Spring in Ravenna, Italy: City of Mosaics, part 1

18 May

Spring is the time of plans and projects ―Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina

Basilica di Sant Apollinare Nuovo

My attention had been caught by a variety of mosaic courses, offered by the Mosaic Art School in Ravenna, in Italy. One in particular, on how to create micro mosaics was intriguing. This, however, was different to my usual forays into online study - this was in person and in Italy!

Well why not? Arrange a week’s trip to Ravenna, the absolute centre of 5th and 6th century, brightly coloured, Byzantine mosaics and enrol in a course on micro mosaics at the same time.

Mosaics inside Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo

I arrived at Bologna airport late Saturday evening and continued immediately on to Ravenna, by connecting taxi, to my B&B: Quaranta Vasi (Forty Vases), in a typical, tiny Italian street just outside the centre. Exhausted after a day of travelling, I gratefully fell into the giant double bed and slept soundly until morning.

Waking up Sunday morning, in a totally unfamiliar place was exciting. Breakfast was already waiting and Francesco, my host, made me a cappuccino to go with it. The first of many during my week’s stay; a parade of delicious croissants, biscuits and cakes (all gluten free), from a local, specialist bakery, La Schiccia (the Crush) and each time accompanied by my choice of a large cappuccino.

I had a whole day before the course began, so my plan was to explore Ravenna and see some mosaics.

A true city of mosaics; everywhere you turn you will find them adorning walls, street signs and shops.

I was unprepared for how stunning, imaginative and how vibrant the colours of the mosaics would be, in the various basilica and mausoleums.

I’m sure I completed the 10K steps for fitness many times over, because even with the help of a map and an app, I managed to get totally lost in the maze of tiny streets - what better way to discover a city’s secrets!

Mausoleum of Galla Placidia — Mausoleum di Galla Placidia

Mosaic details - Mausoleum di Galla Placida

Of course, a trip would not be complete without a photo of one of the local fur babies, although compared to other places I’ve visited, this time I only saw two cats during my entire stay. Ciao!