Italy 2007- Day 4 A Night in Florence

One of the priceless treats in Florence for us is visiting the restaurant called the Reginella.  Marcello is the manager and we used to live next door to the restaurant when I was on sabbatical in 2003.  Now each time we visit, Marcello treats us like "life on the A list".  He gives me a big hug and kiss and treats everyone very special.  It is great fun and great food and a most memorable evening.  His waiters play along and flirt with all the girls.  The location is right across from the entrance to the Medici tombs in the apse of San Lorenzo.

Italy 2007- Day 4 St. Apollinare in Classe

If you have ever wondered what it was like in the early church, you should come to the outskirts of Ravenna to St. Apollinare in Classe.  It is a beautiful interior, with mosaics, marble inlays, saints, angels, Christ and the cross.  What more do you need?  It is possible to sit in this church and time travel to the 6th century.  I first came here on a sabbatical trip with cousin Pete in 1987.  It took many years before I came back and now when we visit Venice, we always come here.  Just for a short time, but still it answers questions about church architecture, decoration, and the general space of worship.

Italy 2007 Day 4 Justinian's people in Ravenna

If you look up in the church of San Vitale, you can see what we have lost in church decoration.  Of course this is an Imperial church and probably had the benefit of artists and craftsmen from Constantinople.  I am sure a church what must establish the power of the court in Constantinople is pulling out the stops in producing one of the most impressive decorative interiors in the history of the Christian church.  It also underscores what the Late Roman decoration had become.   We can thank Justinian and most likely his underpaid and overworked artists.

Italy 2007 Day 4 Justinian in Ravenna

We never have enough time, but a lifetime might not be enough, so we take what we can get.  As we leave Venice, I always look ahead to Ravenna.  I came here with Pete on my first Sabbatical in 1987.  I had been teaching the Survey of Art course and wanted to see the great Byzantine mosaics for myself.  I was not disappointed.  Justinian I and his era has become a real interest to me.  Especially after going to Istanbul to see his famous Hagia Sophia.  Here he is in Ravenna where he probably never visited, making sure you know who your earthly ruler is ( in Christ's  place).  You have to love that old Roman sense of decoration with the newest best medium of colored glass and gold mosaic.  It gives you a sense of what we have lost in church art.