Mausoleo di Galla Placidia

The Mausoleo di Galla Placidia in Ravenna, Italy, is an impressive remnant of the city’s long and turbulent history. Built around 430 AD, it is the only surviving example of a church built under the rule of the Western Roman Empire, and one of the most splendid examples of early Christian art. The mausoleum consists of a cubical central chapel slightly larger than a cube, surrounded by a rectangular ambulatory with three distinct apses. The octagonal dome is adorned with beautiful mosaics. Visitors to the Mausoleum will not only be impressed by the impressive architecture, but also by the skillful mosaic artworks, which includes spectacular scenes of the Crucifixion of Jesus, the martyrdom of St. Lawrence, and a portrait of the mausoleum’s namesake, Galla Placidia. The mausoleum is situated in the centre of Ravenna, and is a must-visit for history and architecture lovers alike.