Ravenna, Italy: Baptistery of the Orthodox: Exterior View

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Sheppard, Beth M.

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22-May-17

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Italy , Ravenna , Baptistery of the Orthodox , Neonian Baptistery , Baptistery of Neon , Battistero Neoniano , Orthodox Baptistery , Battistero Ortodosso , Baptistry of the Cathedral , Baptisteries , Baptistries

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The Baptistery of the Orthodox (Neonian Baptistery; Baptistery of Neon; Battistero Neoniano; Orthodox Baptistery; Battistero Ortodosso; Baptistry of the Cathedral). Originally constructed by Bishop Ursus, the brick Neonian Baptistery was rebuilt and decorated with marble, stucco, and mosaics at the end of the 5th century by Bishop Neone. It is also referred to as the Orthodox Baptistery to distinguish it from the Arian Baptistery, which was built 50 years later by King Theodoric. According to https://neweyesonart.wordpress.com/2014/01/12/two-baptisms-and-their-meanings-ravenna/: "Arianism is the view that Christ, while divine, was created by the Father and is therefore inferior to him. The orthodox view holds that Christ is equally divine ('of the same substance') as God the Father." The Baptistery of the Orthodox is the most ancient monument remaining in the city, partly erected on the site of a Roman bath, and is one of the eight structures in Ravenna registered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is the best preserved baptismal building in the world, both for its architectural structure and decorated interior. The octagonal structure is common to baptisteries; it symbolizes the seven days of creation and the eighth day of resurrection and eternal life. Like several other buildings in the city, the Baptistery has sunk over time, and the primitive floor is now 3 meters below; the outside doors in the four apsidioles (small apses) projecting from the building can no longer be seen. The building has bare brick walls with round arch windows on the top and underground doors.

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CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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