Description of the attraction
The Ravenna Cathedral of Santo Spirito stands in the immediate vicinity of the Orthodox Baptistery, built at the end of the 5th century. The cathedral itself was erected at the beginning of the same 5th century on the initiative of the local bishop Ursa and was known as the Ursian Basilica. It was dedicated to the Resurrection of Christ. Unfortunately, only a few minor fragments have survived from that first building, which are now exhibited in the Archbishop's Museum of Ravenna. By the beginning of the 18th century, the building of the cathedral fell into complete disrepair, and in 1733 it was demolished - only the round bell tower of the 10th century was left intact. On the site of the old cathedral, the construction of a new one began - the architect from Rimini, Gian Francesco Buonamici, worked on its project. Already in 1749, the new Ravenna Cathedral was solemnly consecrated in honor of the Holy Spirit - Santo Spirito.
The current building of the church is adorned with a three-arched portico, in which you can see the four columns left over from the original cathedral. Nearby, on a high pillar, is a statue of the Virgin Mary. Inside the cathedral consists of three naves, which contain numerous monuments of early Christian art - sarcophagi, an old pulpit, decorative panels, etc. In the right side aisle, you can see the Baroque chapel of Santa Maria del Suore, where the icon of the Virgin Mary is located. In one of the aforementioned 5th century sarcophagi rests the body of the Bishop of Ravenna Rinaldo da Concorreggio (this sarcophagus is decorated with the image of Christ with the Gospel in his hand and images of the apostles Peter and Paul), and in the other - the relics of Saint Barbatian.
