General Description

The Basilica de San Vitale is located in Ravenna, Italy. Construction began in 527 AD commissioned by the Archibishop, Ecclesius, but was not completed until 548 AD under the Bishop of Ravenna, Maximian. It contains some of the most celebrated Byzantine mosaics in the western world. The construction of the church was sponsored by a Greek banker, Iulianus Argentarius. It was also the design used by Charlemagne for his Palatine Chapel at Aachen in 805 AD. Legends say the church was built on the site of the martyrdom of Saint Vitalis, but it is unknown if it is Saint Vitalis of Milan, or the Saint Vitale.

Architectural Design

The Basilica de San Vitale was built combining both Roman and Byzantine elements. The Roman elements include the dome shaped ceiling, the arch shaped doorways and the stepped towers. The shape of the San Vitale is two octagons that have a common center. Byzantine art is exhibited by the polygonal apses, capitals, narrow bricks, and the colorful mosaics. As far as Byzantine art is concerned, the Basilica de San Vitale is extremely important because it is the only major church from the period of Emperor Justinian to remain standing until the present day, and it assumed to reflect the design of the Byzantine Imperial Palace Audience Chamber, from which nothing at all survives.

Symbolism and Sacred Objects

The Basilica of San Vitale is in the shape of an octagon; eight and the octagon represent resurrection and rebirth. The mosaics carry depictions of biblical, symbolic and historical themes. The mosaics are complete and express with great clarity the ideology and religiosity of the Justinian era which has been defined by the historians as the First Golden Age of Byzantine Art. Also, there is an arch near the presbytery, on each side there is an angel holding a disc with a representation of the cities of Jerusalem and Bethlehem; these symbolize the human race. There are mosaics everywhere, mainly in rich greens and golds; some of the specific mosaics are of Christ, San Vitale, Bishop Ecclesius, Maximian (the Archbishop of Ravenna), Empress Theodora (courtesan, actress, and wife of Justinian) and her court, just to name a few.

How It Is Used by Worshippers

The Basilica of San Vitale was used as a place of worship, specifically a Catholic church of worship. Currently however it is used as a tourist attraction where people purchase a ticket to see and explore the church.