326 Route 48. RAVENNA. Baptistery.
fed by the angel, a fresco by Guido Reni. The chapel of the Holy Sacrament
in the N. Transept contains the lSFalling of the Manna, also by Gtiido
Reni; the frescoes on the ceiling, Christ in glory, are by his pupils. In the
N. Aisle is the monument of the above-mentioned Archbishop Guiccioli.
The *Baptistery (PL 6; C, 5), S. Giovanni inFonte, oxBattistero
degli Ortodossi, adjoining the cathedral, probably also founded by
St. Ursus (d. 396), and dedicated to John the Baptist, is an octa¬
gonal structure, with two arcades in the interior, one above the other.
The cupola, constructed of semi-spherical tiles, is decorated with
remarkably fine *Mosaics of the 5th cent., the most ancient at Ra¬
venna, representing the Baptism of Christ with the river-god of
the Jordan and the twelve Apostles. Under these runs a broad
frieze, on which, between the groups of light columns, are repre¬
sented four altars with the open books of the gospels, and thrones
with crosses. The upper arcades of the wall are adorned with
figures of prophets, and enrichments in stucco. On the lower
section of the wall are admirable mosaics. The large font in white
marble is of the 5th century, with the original inscriptions of de¬
dication inside. It is intended to raise the level of the whole build
ing considerably by means of machinery. The custodian lives by
the Cappella Giustina (adjoining the Cathedral), which contains a
Bacchic vase.
The Archiepiscopal Palace (PL 29; C, 5), to the E. of the
cathedral, possesses a square vaulted *Chapel of the 5th century.
The vaulting is adorned with ancient mosaics representing saints,
completed in 547; in the centre, on the groining, four *Angels
holding the monogram of Christ; under them the four Evangelists;
in the centre of the arches, Christ. The Madonna and two saints
over the altar, originally in the cathedral, are of the 11th century.
The ante-room contains ancient inscriptions, chiefly of the Christian
period, the torso of a magistrate in porphyry, and a relief with
children from the temple of Neptune. The episcopal Archives
comprise about 25,000 documents on parchment.
On the right, at the beginning of the Strada di Classe leading
to the Porta S. Mamante, is the Accademia delle Belle Arti
(PL 1 ; D, 5 ; open in the forenoon only; ring at the gate, 75 c).
The interesting Picture Gallery chiefly contains pictures by masters
of the place, such as a Crucifixion, Descent from the Cross, and several
portraits by Luca Longhi (d. 1580); pictures by his son Francesco; a
Descent from the Cross by Vasari; Madonna and saints by Cotignola; a
large ancient mosaic found, near Classe. — On the L7pper Floor a col¬
lection of casts, among them a bust of St. Apollinaris by Thorvaldsen;
"Tombstone with recumbent statue of Guidarello Guidarelli, 'guerrier Ra-
vennate1, by Baldelli Giacomelli of Ravenna (about 1490). Several statues
from Canova^ studio; Endymion, by Canova.
In the Strada di Classe, No. 192, is the secularised Camal-
dulensian Monastery of Classe (PL 7; D, 6), now occupied by the
Academy. The Biblioteca Comunal2 (first floor; admission daily,
10-2, except on Sundays and holidays), founded in 1714 by the
Abbate Caneti, contains upwards of 50,000 vols, and 700 MSS.
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