The Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy, is one of the most important surviving examples of early Christian Byzantine architecture. Its construction began under the Ostrogothic rule of the city, and was completed when Ravenna was part of the Byzantine Empire under Justinian I, and the church was consecrated by Archbishop Maximian. It has an octagonal plan with a central dome, and the interior is covered with mosaics of brilliant colour and detail. The best known show the emperor Justinian and the empress Theodora with their courtiers, although neither of them ever visited the city. San Vitale was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996, together with other early Christian monuments of Ravenna.
Before and after
- from 538 CE to 710 CEAsuka period
- 540 CEBirth of Gregory I
- from 541 CE to 750 CEPlague of Justinian
- from November 542 CE to March 543 CESiege of Naples
- 6th centuryConstruction of Basilica of San Vitale
- from 552 CE to 657 CEGöktürks
- July 552 CEBattle of Taginae
- 553 CEConstruction of Euphrasian Basilica
- 14 November 565 CEDeath of Justinian I
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- 1373Construction of Leaning Tower of Pisa
The era
This moment belongs to the Medieval world (500 CE to 1500 CE), kingdoms, faiths and trade routes.