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Monument · Ravena, Emília-Romanha
Mausoleo di Galla Placidia
Small 5th-century cruciform building in the garden of San Vitale. The cobalt-blue dome with golden stars and the lunette of the Good Shepherd are among Ravenna's oldest mosaics.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Mausoleo di Galla Placidia
The small brick building, shaped like a cross, was built between about 425 and 430. Tradition associates it with Galla Placidia, daughter of Emperor Theodosius and regent of the Western Roman Empire on behalf of her son, Valentinian III. Scholars dispute whether she was actually buried there; the building may have been a chapel attached to a nearby church, now disappeared.
From the outside it looks modest. Inside, all the vaults and the dome are covered with mosaics. The central dome is a dark blue sky with hundreds of golden stars in circles, a cross at the top and the symbols of the four evangelists in the corners.
Above the entrance, the lunette shows the Good Shepherd, a young Christ in a golden tunic among sheep. In the opposite lunette appears Saint Lawrence with the gridiron of his martyrdom. The windows have thin alabaster slabs, which let in a yellowish light.
Inside are three large stone sarcophagi. The space is small and visits are conducted in short, timed shifts.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 10 to 15 minutes inside the mausoleum.
Best time
Book your time slot in advance, especially from March to June and on weekends. Visits are usually in short timed shifts.
How to get there
It's located in the same garden as the Basilica di San Vitale, with entrance on Via San Vitale, about a 15-minute walk from Ravena station.
Tip
When entering, wait a few seconds for your eyes to adjust to the dim light before looking at the dome. Flash is not allowed.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Mausoleo di Galla Placidia
Do you need to reserve Galla Placidia?
Yes. The joint ticket requires a timed entry for the mausoleum. In high season book in advance.
Is Galla Placidia buried there?
Tradition says so, but there is no certainty. Historians consider that the building may have been a chapel attached to a nearby church.
How long does the visit last?
A few minutes, because the space is small and time slots are short. Combine it with San Vitale in the same garden.