Our second day of the tour began with a bus ride to Ravenna. There our local guide, Marina, told us sbout the Basilica di San Vitale in the background and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia.

The mausoleum was not an imposing structure, but we were to be surprised by the interior.

The mausoleum appeared much darker than this when we entered, as the only sources of light were the small doorway where we entered and the alabaster windows at the side..

Doves drink from a fountain, symbolic of souls finding their nourishment in God.

Directly above the entrance, Christ is portrayed as the Good Shepherd.

A golden cross was on the ceiling and at the four corners the symbols of Matthew (angel), Mark (winged lion), Luke (ox), John (eagle)

We then went into the Basilica for some more amazing mosaics.

Christ seated on the earth as Ruler

Abel on the left making an offering to God, prefiguring the Eucharistic sacrifice, represented by Melchizedek on the right.

Two views of Abraham. On the left he and Sarah receive the news that they will have a son and he is extending hospitality to the three angels who brought them the news. On the right he is about to sacrifice his son Isaac.

This is the court of Justinian, who is shown with both a halo and a crown. To the right are clergy, including Archbishop Maximanus, and monks. To the left are secular officials, including military officers who bear the Constantinian monogram, Chi Rho, on their shield.

The court of Theodora, the wife of Justinian. Neither Justinian nor Theodora were actually present in Ravenna, but she is nevertheless represented as part of an imperial court group on the side of the apse opposite her husband

After all these mosaics, we were ready for another bus ride to the hill town of Montone in Umbria.