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The Archbishops' Museum in Ravenna houses a historical and artistic heritage of extraordinary value. Among its most famous works is the Throne of Maximian, the only carved ivory throne from the 6th century and an extraordinary example of Byzantine art. The museum is closely linked to the history of the lost Basilica Ursiana, which was demolished in the 18th century to make way for the present-day cathedral. Next to these treasures stands the magnificent Archbishop’s Chapel, also known as the Chapel of St Andrew, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The origins of the Museum and its collection
Founded in 1700 at the behest of Archbishop Maffeo Niccolò Farsetti, the Archbishops’ Museum is located next to the Cathedral and the Neonian Baptistery. Inside, it houses works of inestimable value, including paintings, sculptures, sacred vestments and mosaic fragments.
The mosaics of the lost Basilica Ursiana
Among the museum's most fascinating exhibits are fragments of mosaics that once decorated the apse of the Basilica Ursiana. Created in 1112 by Venetian craftsmen during the episcopate of Archbishop Geremia, these mosaics were intended to celebrate the independence of the Church of Ravenna. With its evocative scenes, this mosaic art formed part of a broader iconographic project linked to the city’s tradition, whose religious history has its roots in the first bishop of Ravenna, St Apollinaris.
