Ravenna

Part of the logic of staying 5 nights in Bologna is that, interesting as it is, it is also a rail hub. Yesterday we went to Ravenna. This blog is late because Lyn was supposed to write it but never got around to it.

The day began in triumph because Lyn finally bought me a belt. This was a triumph for her, not me. The added bonus was that it was an expensive belt. This is a phenomenon familiar to most married men. Lyn was feeling guilty about earrings, scarves etc and so assuaged her guilt by buying me something. If she buys much more I can look forward to at least one more gift.

We loved Ravenna. The historic centre is mostly pedestrians and bicycles. The place rejoices in its beautiful mosaics and early Christian churches. Even the street signs are mosaics.

Lyn is outside the tomb of Galla Placidia

There was some amazing other stuff. Lyn particularly liked the carved altar screen and an extraordinary bishop's throne.

Lyn's second coup was to choose a brilliant little restaurant for lunch. 

For me it was all a trip back to year 10 art classes at Sevo High. Back then, as a 15 year old, I looked bewildered at black and white reproductions of Byzantine mosaics and dutifully recorded what I was taught, that they were stilted and hierarchical. Now I know that that they shimmer and float in a golden heaven. (Photographs never do these things justice.)

© José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro / CC BY-SA 4.0

Lyn found a duck, or is it a goose?

When we got home we yarned for ages with Maria, our charming landlady.