It’s the city of mosaics. It’s old, and like everywhere in Italy, has been ruled by many different hands: such as Etruscans, Byzantines, Frankish tribes, Lombardis, and Italians. It was touristy, but completely manageable. There’s not much to say as I stopped in late in the day after a long lunch in Bologna and basically ran through the main points of interest, jaw agape at the detail and colorful splendor before me. It’s best to check out the pics for yourself. But first, the marble columns, in the Basilica San Vitale…

…reminded me of a Rorshact test…

 

You can see there are four stones fitted together to form the natural swirls of the marble. Elsewhere in the church was only more religious tiles glued intricately together.

Next, is the Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo.

Finally, the tiny, and therefore approachable in size, Baptistry of Neon.

All of these were constructed around the time of Emperor Justinian I (527-565 C.E.) or earlier.