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Monuments

Mausoleo di Galla Placidia

A dome of the starry sky, with ceilings, walls, arches and lunettes entirely decorated with mosaics devoted to the theme of the victory of life over death.

The Mausoleo di Galla Placidia in Ravenna is a Latin-cross building, commissioned and built for Emperor Honorius. What sets this monument apart is the contrast between its exterior and interior: austere and plain on the outside, rich and decorated in every corner on the inside. Blue and gold dominate, enhanced by the light filtering through the windows, while the mosaics that entirely cover the dome, arches, walls and lunettes of the upper part of the structure make a striking impression.

Good to know

  • Galla Placidia was the sister of Honorius, the emperor who moved the capital of the Western Roman Empire from Milan to Ravenna.
  • A recurring theme runs through the mosaics: the victory of eternal life over death.
  • Cole Porter’s famous song Night and Day is said to have been written after the songwriter visited this mausoleum.
  • The ticket is a combined ticket, giving admission to: Basilica di San Vitale, Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Museo e Cappella Arcivescovile, Battistero Neoniano and Mausoleo di Galla Placidia (for the last 2: a €2 supplement applies). Free entry for children up to age 10.

More monuments in Ravenna

Basilica di San VitaleIt is considered one of the most important early Christian monuments in Italy, both for its history and for the beauty of its mosaics, especially in the dome.Read more
Basilica Sant’Apollinare NuovoThe Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna began as a palatine church, later converted to Orthodox worship. Its dedication to Sant'Apollinare dates from...Read more
Battistero degli ArianiThe Battistero degli Ariani was built in Ravenna in the 5th century, at the height of the Arian faith's adherence and of Theodoric's rule.Read more
Battistero NeonianoOctagonal in shape, the Battistero Neoniano has an interior arranged in two overlapping tiers of arches. Its decoration is sumptuous and elaborate, set out...Read more
Domus dei tappeti di pietraAn archaeological site that extends underground to a depth of 3 metres, the Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra in Ravenna lies within the Chiesa di Sant'Eufemia and...Read more
Mausoleo di TeodoricoThe Mausoleo di Teodorico in Ravenna was commissioned by Theodoric and built from 520 AD to serve as his burial place.Read more

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