The Hawke’s Bay Society enjoyed a wonderful introduction to the treasures of Byzantium from Dr Helen Rufus-Ward at our first lecture on Monday 12 February (pictured here with member Brian Pattullo). For those interested in further reading, Helen recommends Byzantine Art and Icons, both by Robin Cormack. If you are travelling to the UK and Europe in the future we have listed some of the places and treasures Helen highlighted below.
Rome
- The catacombs
- Statue of Constantine at The Capitoline Museum
- Sarcophagi at Pio Clementino Museum
- The beautiful 4th century church of Santa Costanza
Ravenna
- Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
- Church of San Vitale
- Byzantine ivory throne at the Archiepiscopal Museum
Venice (home to many of the treasures looted from Contantinople in the 4th Crusade in 1204 AD)
- The gilded bronze Quadriga (Four Horses), 2nd century at Basilica di San Marco
- The Tetrarchs Group, 4th century, Porphyry, South West exterior of , St Mark’s Basilica (Note – the missing leg is still in Instanbul)
- Alabaster Paten, Icon of Archangel Michael and Chalice of the Patriarchs – St Mark’s Treasury
Budapest
- The Holy Crown of Hungary (St Stephen’s Crown) – now held in Budapest Parliament House
London
- Esquiline Treasure, Projecta Casket and Borradaile Oliphant – British Museum
- The Veroli Casket – V&A Museum