Archbishop's Chapel, Ravenna, Early Christian chapel in Ravenna, Italy
The Archbishop's Chapel in Ravenna is a private early Christian oratory from the 5th century, located on the upper floor of the Archbishop's Museum. It has a cross-shaped plan and its walls, vault, and floor are entirely covered with marble and mosaic decoration.
The chapel was built in the late 5th century for Bishop Peter II of Ravenna, at a time when the city was one of the main centers of the Western Roman Empire. It later became part of the group of early Christian monuments in Ravenna recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The mosaics show Christ dressed as a Roman soldier in golden armor, carrying a cross instead of a spear. This image reflects how early Christians in Ravenna chose to express their faith during a time of political change.
The chapel is only accessible through the Archbishop's Museum, which sits close to Ravenna's cathedral. A visit here is short but pairs well with the other early Christian sites in the city.
The chapel is sometimes called the Chapel of Sant'Andrea, a name that comes from a mosaic of the apostle Andrew placed in its vestibule. The vestibule ceiling is decorated with birds and vines, a type of decoration more common in Roman domestic spaces than in places of worship.
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