About
The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia stands in Ravenna, in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, at Via San Vitale 17. It is a small brick building, and its interior is what draws visitors. Its ceiling is covered in mosaic, with a starry sky in deep blue and gold that seems to glow in the dim light.
What you will see
The mausoleum was built for the Roman Empress Galla Placidia in the 5th century. Its mosaics are regarded as among the finest surviving examples of early Christian art, and the building is part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing for Ravenna's early Christian monuments. Visitors usually come to look up, to take in the ceiling and the richly decorated walls, and to spend a quiet while inside.
Planning a visit
- Location: Via San Vitale 17, 48121 Ravenna, in the centre of the old town.
- Time needed: The building is small, so a visit can be short, but allow time to stand and look at the ceiling.
- Contact: +39 0544 541688, if you want to check details before you go.
Ravenna's other early Christian monuments are close by, so many visitors see the mausoleum as part of a wider walk through the city's historic centre.
