Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Exarchate of Ravenna

The Battistero degli Ariani (Arian Baptistery) was erected by Theodorich the Great, after he had taken Ravenna in 493. The Ostrogoths and their King Theodorich were Arian Christs. The Arian Baptistery is very much like the nearby (catholic/orthodox) Battistero Neoniano ("Baptistery of Neon") completed under Bishop Neon about 50 years earlier, but smaller. After Byzantine Emperor Justinian's general Belisarius had taken Ravenna in 540, and after the condemnation of the Arian sect, this baptistery was converted into an oratory named Santa Maria. Orthodox monks added a monastery during the period of the Exarchate of Ravenna and further dedicated the structure to Saint Maria in Cosmedin. Over the centuries the octagonal brick structure has sunken about 2,30 meters into the ground. The mosaic of the baptistery´s dome. Seems a bit like a simplified copy of the mosaic of the Battistero Neoniano. Here the the diameter of the dome is smaller, so the composition had to be "simpler". While in the Neonano are two concentruc bands around the central medaillion, here is only one. The center, seen here, is similar. Christ standing up to his waist in the water of the River Jordan. Christ is young, beardless and - naked. He is flanked by John the Baptist and a personification of the River Jordan. Over his head the white dove.

The Battistero degli Ariani (Arian Baptistery) was erected by Theodorich the Great, after he had taken Ravenna in 493. The Ostrogoths and their King Theodorich were Arian Christs. The Arian Baptistery is very much like the nearby (catholic/orthodox) Battistero Neoniano ("Baptistery of Neon") completed under Bishop Neon about 50 years earlier, but smaller. After Byzantine Emperor Justinian's general Belisarius had taken Ravenna in 540, and after the condemnation of the Arian sect, this baptistery was converted into an oratory named Santa Maria. Orthodox monks added a monastery during the period of the Exarchate of Ravenna and further dedicated the structure to Saint Maria in Cosmedin. Over the centuries the octagonal brick structure has sunken about 2,30 meters into the ground. The mosaic of the baptistery´s dome. Seems a bit like a simplified copy of the mosaic of the Battistero Neoniano. Here the the diameter of the dome is smaller, so the composition had to be "simpler". While in the Neonano are two concentruc bands around the central medaillion, here is only one. The center is similar. Christ standing up to his waist in the water of the River Jordan. Christ is young, beardless and - naked. Christ is flanked by John the Baptist and a personification of the River Jordan. The twelve apostles on the band around thie scene are devided in two groups. One group is led by Saint Peter, holding the keys, the other by Saint Paul, holding two scrolls. They are approaching a sumptious throne with an large purple cushion supporting a jeweled cross.

The Battistero degli Ariani (Arian Baptistery) was erected by Theodorich the Great, after he had taken Ravenna in 493. The Ostrogoths and their King Theodorich were Arian Christs. The Arian Baptistery is very much like the nearby (catholic/orthodox) Battistero Neoniano ("Baptistery of Neon") completed under Bishop Neon about 50 years earlier, but smaller. After Byzantine Emperor Justinian's general Belisarius had taken Ravenna in 540, and after the condemnation of the Arian sect, this baptistery was converted into an oratory named Santa Maria. Orthodox monks added a monastery during the period of the Exarchate of Ravenna and further dedicated the structure to Saint Maria in Cosmedin. Over the centuries the octagonal brick structure has sunken about 2,30 meters into the ground. Inside the small baptistery the tourists look up to the mosaic of the apse.

The Battistero degli Ariani (Arian Baptistery) was erected by Theodorich the Great, after he had taken Ravenna in 493. The Ostrogoths and their King Theodorich were Arian Christs. The Arian Baptistery is very much like the nearby (catholic/orthodox) Battistero Neoniano ("Baptistery of Neon") completed under Bishop Neon about 50 years earlier, but smaller. After Byzantine Emperor Justinian's general Belisarius had taken Ravenna in 540, and after the condemnation of the Arian sect, this baptistery was converted into an oratory named Santa Maria. Orthodox monks added a monastery during the period of the Exarchate of Ravenna and further dedicated the structure to Saint Maria in Cosmedin. Over the centuries the octagonal brick structure has sunken about 2,30 meters into the ground.

The "Pieve di San Michele Arcangelo" (dedicated to Maria Assunta) is known since the 9th century. Excations have proved, that the apse was erected over a Roman temple within the 6th century, when the area was part of the (Byzantine) Exarchate of Ravenna. By now it is the oldest church in and around Rimini. The tower was added to the basilica within the 13th century. Unfortunately the church as locked.

Behind the pretty new Neo-Byzantine parish church (see previous uploads) stands this round building, erected by Lombards after in 751 King Aistulf had conquered the Exarchate of Ravenna and so ended the Byzantine influence here. This rotunda, named "delubro", was erected mid 8th century, when the area had been transferred to the Nonantola Abbey. It is claimed locally, that this is the most ancient stone monument in the whole Province of Bologna. It was probably used as a baptistery first. In the 12th century it was used as the base of the bell tower - and remained so upto 1951, when the old tower was demolished. The rotunda is not exactly round, but has an elliptical floorplan (4,40 m x 3,85 m). The door was open... The building has a small apse, where the white bench is. It looks like a little gazebo, where neighbours meet in the evening to have a chat and a glass of wine.

Behind the pretty new Neo-Byzantine parish church (see previous uploads) stands this round building, erected by Lombards after in 751 King Aistulf had conquered the Exarchate of Ravenna and so ended the Byzantine influence here. This rotunda, named "delubro", was erected mid 8th century, when the area had been transferred to the Nonantola Abbey. It is claimed locally, that this is the most ancient stone monument in the whole Province of Bologna. It was probably used as a baptistery first. In the 12th century it was used as the base of the bell tower - and remained so upto 1951, when the old tower was demolished. The rotunda is not exactly round, but has an elliptical floorplan (4,40 m x 3,85 m). There are two doors.

Just behind the pretty new Neo-Byzantine parish church (see previous upload), hidden in the shadow of the (as well new) campanile stands this round building, erected by Lombards after in 751 King Aistulf had conquered the Exarchate of Ravenna and so ended the Byzantine influence here. This rotunda, named "delubro", was erected mid 8th century, when the area had been transferred to the Nonantola Abbey. It is claimed locally, that this is the most ancient stone monument in the whole Province of Bologna. It was probably used as a baptistery first. In the 12th century it was used as the base of the bell tower - and remained so upto 1951, when the old tower was demolished. The rotunda is not exactly round, but has an elliptical floorplan (4,40 m x 3,85 m).

Just behind the pretty new Neo-Byzantine parish church (see previous upload), hidden in the shadow of the (as well new) campanile stands this round building, erected by Lombards after in 751 King Aistulf had conquered the Exarchate of Ravenna and so ended the Byzantine influence here. This rotunda, named "delubro", was erected mid 8th century, when the area had been transferred to the Nonantola Abbey. It is claimed locally, that this is the most ancient stone monument in the whole Province of Bologna. It was probably used as a baptistery first. In the 12th century it was used as the base of the bell tower - and remained so upto 1951, when the old tower was demolished.

The parish church is dedicated to San Mamante a popular saint in the Byzantine empire. The church seen here was erected in 1931 in a Neo-Byzantine style. It was erected over remains of a much older church, that may be dated back in pro-Lombard times. The area belonged to the Exarchate of Ravenna, what means it was under Byzantine (East Roman) control. In 751 the Exarchat was conquered by Lombard King Aistulf, who transfered Lizzano in 753 to the Nonantola Abbey, just founded a year before by Saint Anselm, Duke of Friuli and Aistulf´s brother-in-law. At that time a (byzantine) church may have existed here already, though there are no traces of an older structure in this church - but behind the building.