The Neonian Baptistery, or the Orthodox Baptistery, owes its name to Bishop Neon, who, around 450 A.D., had the existing building altered, replacing the roof with the present dome and having the magnificent mosaic decoration made.
It is interesting to note that the small temple, built on a much older Roman building, had been used as a baptistery a few decades earlier by Bishop Orso.
From the outside, the building is simple, brick-clad, with an octagonal base, four apses along the sides, and large windows.
As with most of Ravenna's buildings of the same era, it is the interior that impresses with its magnificence.
Compared to the Arian Baptistery, the Neonian one is better preserved so that its full splendor can still be admired today.
Now press pause and press play again inside.
In the center you see the large baptismal font in which the faithful receiving baptism were immersed.
Looking up, the center of the dome is dominated by the mosaic depicting the Baptism of Jesus, who is immersed to the waist in the waters of the Jordan River. On one side is John the Baptist baptizing Jesus, while on the opposite side an elderly man, symbolizing the river, offers a cloth to dry him.
The surrounding circle depicts the twelve Apostles in procession, richly dressed in golden and white robes, holding crowns symbolic of their martyrdom.
Look at the apostles carefully: you can read the name of each one and note that they go in two opposite directions until they close the circle with Saints Peter and Paul.
Outside you see another circle that alternates between different figures, gardens with plants, empty thrones and altars on which the books of the gospels are laid.
The empty throne is symbolic of the expectation of Christ's return to Earth.
Below are the large windows from which light filters in. On the sides of each are carved figures of Old Testament prophets, sixteen in all, foretelling the coming of Christ.
On the lower level are splendid and wide arches finely decorated with a special artistic technique called Opus Sectile. It consists of the use of fine marble and glass paste to create decorative inlays.
Let me leave you with an interesting fact: If you visit various places of worship in Ravenna from Roman and Byzantine times, you may have noticed that the octagonal plan which had an important symbolic value is recurrent.
Seven, in fact, are the days employed by God for Creation; the eighth day is the day of Resurrection, so it represents eternal life.
