Friday 6th May

We haven't ventured far from Bologna itself apart from the food experience trip to Modena. There is a lot to see here in Bologna. But we decided to spread our wings today but by train to Ravenna which has been described by Dante as a "symphony in colour" and is reputed to be the region's shining artistic jewel.
What we hadn't reckoned on was the labour strike and march through Bologna which effectively stopped the traffic and buses ( our transport to the station ) so we walked the 1 km or so. The second non reckoning was the mal advice received from the station information man who told us to transfer from the train to a bus at Castel Bolognese ( 3 stations down the line ). Of course there was no bus according to the Castel Bolognese station information man and the next train had been cancelled due to the strike. While pondering what to do next a big tour bus pulled up empty. The driver jumped out and called "Ravenna". This was a bus going to Ravenna and he said in 10 minutes and walked off. 45 minutes later he returned, we boarded and headed off to Ravenna. What bus he was we don't know but he was happy to accept our train ticket as fare paid.
By the time we got to Ravenna it was lunch time and we found a terrific ristorante where the food was great and well priced and the waiter turned out to be a great tourist information source. He provided us with a map and detailed directions etc on it on where to go.
Dante was right in his description. This place is special and it is where, in a little more than 200 years between 540 and 752 AD the city grew into a glittering showcase for Byzantyne art and culture and includes UNESCO listed sites containing the most elaborate mosaics you can imagine.
I have added some photos here showing just a small fraction of the mosaics. The first is of a pattern on the floor inside the Basilica San Vitale to show the size of the tiles. The rest of the mosaics on floors, walls and ceilings in all sites use the same size tiles but in a multitude of colours and designs and patterns.
We got the train back at 6.40pm to Bologna with not one mishap except the leftovers from the march were still partying on in one of the main streets of  Bologna, with the police looking on, and effectively diverting all traffic including our bus.
Cont'd - Have been having a bit of internet connection problems - an effect of the strike??? Therefore a bit late getting this out. Remember , what you see are mosaics, not paintings.

Size of tiles about 12mm x 12mm

A dome ceiling - rotate to see the lot better