San Vitale
San Vitale
Description of Building
The Basilica of San Vitale has long been considered the sister to Hagia Sergios and Bakchos basilicas in Constantinople. But the plan and elevation differs from the Hagia Sergios and Backchos. Ambulatory and gallery zones were not vaulted. As a Result greater emphasis is given to the core, the center baldachins, and the chancel – “the parts of the building where the mosaic decoration, the richly veined marbled revetment of the piers, and the most elaborate capitals.”
No Imperial backing seems to have been forthcoming when construction started, still under Ostrogothic rule. Meaning the Ostrogoth’s were ultimate rulers in Italy but at the same time under the Roman Empire. So eventhough this building was the representation of Justinan, emperor of Rome at the time, traditional architecture it was not made by the authority and backing of Rome. “Julian the silversmith: he is supposed to be the banker who paid 26000 golden solidus for the building of the Basilica.” San Vitale was finaced by a local Banker, Julian, and commissioned by Bishop Ecclesius. However, Construction only started in earnest under Bishop Victor after 540, whose monogram appears on the capitals of the first floor. The Mosaics in chancel and apse followed in 546 and were to be executed under Arch Bishop Maxiamian, who stands next to Justinian on the mosaics of the chancel walls.
The Mosaics of this building are of the most remarkable quality. Every wall ceiling and crevice of San Vitale is covered in realistic and natural golden themed mosaics. It was obviously executed by local workmen and built largely with local materials. “A local western crew, then, was at work.” The Basilica has a central plan not common of the Christian Western Churches; the building is surrounded by a dome which outside is octagonal, while on the apse many round sloping and square building were projected in which the deacon and prosthesis were placed. The windows were originally
Description of Building
The Basilica of San Vitale has long been considered the sister to Hagia Sergios and Bakchos basilicas in Constantinople. But the plan and elevation differs from the Hagia Sergios and Backchos. Ambulatory and gallery zones were not vaulted. As a Result greater emphasis is given to the core, the center baldachins, and the chancel – “the parts of the building where the mosaic decoration, the richly veined marbled revetment of the piers, and the most elaborate capitals.”
No Imperial backing seems to have been forthcoming when construction started, still under Ostrogothic rule. Meaning the Ostrogoth’s were ultimate rulers in Italy but at the same time under the Roman Empire. So eventhough this building was the representation of Justinan, emperor of Rome at the time, traditional architecture it was not made by the authority and backing of Rome. “Julian the silversmith: he is supposed to be the banker who paid 26000 golden solidus for the building of the Basilica.” San Vitale was finaced by a local Banker, Julian, and commissioned by Bishop Ecclesius. However, Construction only started in earnest under Bishop Victor after 540, whose monogram appears on the capitals of the first floor. The Mosaics in chancel and apse followed in 546 and were to be executed under Arch Bishop Maxiamian, who stands next to Justinian on the mosaics of the chancel walls.
The Mosaics of this building are of the most remarkable quality. Every wall ceiling and crevice of San Vitale is covered in realistic and natural golden themed mosaics. It was obviously executed by local workmen and built largely with local materials. “A local western crew, then, was at work.” The Basilica has a central plan not common of the Christian Western Churches; the building is surrounded by a dome which outside is octagonal, while on the apse many round sloping and square building were projected in which the deacon and prosthesis were placed. The windows were originally