Arian Baptistery in Ravenna

The Arian baptistery was built during the kingdom of the king Theodoric, in that period Ravenna was the Capital of his reing and the Arianism was the official religion of his court. Arianism was considered from the Catholic church as heresy because one of this religion convictions was that Jesus Christ was son of God but he was considered human until the moment of baptism. The mosaics on the vault represent and celebrate the baptism. Unlike the Orthodox Baptistery the representation here show a Christ not coming from the East (as the Nicene creed reels: “Light of Light, Very God of very God…”) but going in direction of the East, becoming divine only during the baptism moment. Jesus Christ is considered as a man, so his nudity it’s not censored, while he’s immersed in the Jordan’s waters and John the baptist is baptising him. From the sky the divine dove come down bringing with her the light, symbolizing the spirit, on the Jesus head.

How to get here: By feet from the centre of Ravenna
When: Everyday from 9 am to 7,30 pm
Tickets: Free entrance