If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 392

Mausoleum of Galia Placidia, Harts at fountain, Ravenna, Italy, 5th century

This unused postcard, purchased at the gift shop in Ravenna, shows an interior scene at the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna, Italy.  It was one of the five UNESCO sites on the pass we purchased the day we visited.  The exterior of the building gave no indication of what we might find inside.  It is quite small and the guide at the door was limiting the number of people entering due to the size.  

 

Exterior of the Mausoleum di Galla Placidia, 5th century

Once inside marvelous delights met our eyes.  Everything from the gorgeous ceiling with its stunning blue Garden of Eden floral design in mosaic to all the other magnificent panels with animals and Biblical scenes were simply breathtaking.  There were “Ahs and Oohs” as each person entered through the narrow doorway.  

Garden of Eden ceiling with Good Shepherd mosaic panel, 5th century

The second postcard shows Christ as the Good Shepherd with his flock and the sky is in the Garden of Eden floral pattern.  Both postcards are Ediz. Salbaroli issues.

Although it is called a mausoleum it is not currently being used as such.  The most common story about the building is that Galla Placidia, the daughter of the Roman Emperor Theodosius I and a patron of the arts, had it built to be used as a burial place for herself and her family.  There are three sarcophagi housed inside today.  The largest one supposedly contained her remains in a sitting position and clothed in an imperial mantle; however, in 1577, the contents of that sarcophagus were accidentally burned.  The designs and decorations used are to represent the victory of eternal life over death.

Sarcophagus of Gallia Placidia, 450, Ravenna, Italy

The other two sarcophagi contain the remains of her husband, Emperor Constantius III and either her son, Emperor Valentinian III or her brother, Emperor Honorius.

The floor of the mausoleum has been raised 5 feet since it was built in the 5th century in order to remain above the rising water along the upper Adriatic coast.  The windows here are alabaster, mosaics of Christian and Apocalyptic symbols cover the walls and ceiling.  Our friend told us that like Venice, Ravenna is gradually sinking.

Alabaster window framed by mosaics

For additional information, see:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mausoleum_of_Galla_Placidia