Mosaics in Italy

Posted on April 26, 2026by Janet Simmonds

A purely personal list of fabulous mosaics in Italy, dating from about the 6th century right up to the 21st century. So that’s 1400 years of mosaic artistry.

Many of these mosaics date from the Roman era and some of them are copies of even older Greek mosaics. These mosaics tell us stories, they mark important buildings and they teach us about saints, bishops and important events of the past.

Often these mosaics were used to teach a largely illiterate population the stories and legends of Christianity. Sometimes the mosaics were used as a threat, as in the graphic pictures of the ‘Inferno’ in the mosaics of Torcello, near Venice. Elsewhere mosaics were used to encourage and inspire, for example the ‘Paradiso’ scenes in Sant’ Apollinare in Classe near Ravenna. Whatever their purpose, these mosaics have left is with a wonderful, artistic and cultural legacy that helps us to understand the past and appreciate the creative capabilities of the artists. Generally speaking we don’t know the names of the artists and yet they left us a really important artistic treasure trove.

It’s time to dive in and enjoy the colour, vibrancy and content of an eclectic collection of mosaics in Italy.

Let’s start at the beginning…..

AQUILEIA – this Roman city in the north-eastern corner of the Italian peninsula was a revelation for me. The Roman remains are incredible, there’s a Forum, River Port, Houses, Workshops and even a Domus (grand house) It’s one of the most active archaeological sites outside Rome. There’s a fascinating 11th century basilica with an extraordinary mosaic floor dating back to the 4th century AD (photos below). If you visit Aquileia during the ‘dig season’ there’s usually at least half a dozen active archaeological sites around the town. They are staffed by archaeologists and students sifting and recording, in minute detail, artefacts and mosaics from the past.

The Aquileia mosaics are wonderful because they are so vivid and pictorial. The mosaic floor of the basilica is alive with fish, fishermen, baskets of fruit and even a sea monster. The mosaics are 4th century AD. They tell stories – including the tale of Jonah being swallowed by a whale (or sea monster).

Aquileia – Roman mosaics with exceptional detail, dating from 4th century AD – crayfish, important citizens and escaping snails!

CEFALU, SICILY – this small city on Sicily’s north coast was an important fortress town for the Normans – they arrived here in the 12th century. The Byzantine mosaics in the cathedral were created by craftsmen from Constantinople between 1145 and 1170. They were commissioned by King Ruggiero II. The Christ Pantocrator is huge and quite intimidating – better listen to him! The small city of Cefalu is an absolute jewel on Sicily’s north coast.

CLASSE, RAVENNA – Next it’s got to be Sant’Apollinare in Classe – about 6 kms south of Ravenna. I saw these mosaics for the first time in 1980. I was completely in awe. These mosaics (below) date from the 6th century. The clarity of the colours and the luminosity of the tesserae is completely magical. Of course I’ve written about Sant’Apollinare!

_{Church of Sant’Apollinare in Classe, near Ravenna. Sparkling mosaics in the apse – dating from 6th century. Byzantine craftsmanship at its best…}

CONTEMPORARY – modern mosaics are being made every day. Mosaic artists from Italy travel to the USA to create exceptional mosaics in houses, gardens and swimming pools, especially for wealthy clients in Florida. In fact graduates of the mosaic school in Spilimbergo often find their first job in the USA.

HERCULANEUM – ERCOLANO (in italiano) – A photo I took just a few weeks ago. Pompeii and Herculaneum are the two towns that were buried in volcanic debris when the volcano Vesuvius erupted in 79AD. This mosaic is an exquisite example of a Roman-Greek mosaic style – we know it’s older than 79 AD. The subjects are Neptune and his wife Amphitrite. The tesserae size is very small – approx. 10 mm sq. the mosaic is like a stage at a theatre, revealing the actors. The characters are delicately coloured and shaded, showing musculature and clothing. The mosaic is framed with a detailed and colourful fan-shaped arch and symmetrical pillars.

LIO PICCOLO, LAGUNA DI VENEZIA – This Roman villa is currently being excavated. It is located on the edge of the Venetian Lagoon, about three miles from Venice. It is an exciting project because it shows us that Romans were living in the lagoon area about 2000 years ago. Archaeologists have found evidence of fish farming, especially oyster cultivation and some interesting mosaic floors (mosaic photos to follow). The site is being e3xcavated by the University of Ca’ Foscari, Venice.

MAESTRA / MAESTRO – an expert in their field. An example of this is Alessandra of Artefact Mosaic, based in Castello, Venice. Alessandra creates superb mosaic art. She teaches mosaic-making and she takes on commissions for clients. She graduated from the mosaic school of Spilimbergo – her workshop (below)….

MURANO Mosaics of SS Maria e Donato – there’s humour under your feet on the island of Murano. The island is famous for its glass makers and glass factories. However this wonderful Romanesque church is not to be over-looked.

NAPOLI – The Alexander Mosaic can be found in Naples Archaeological Museum. This incredible mosaic was found at Pompeii during excavations of the House of the Faun. It dates from about 100 BCE. It shows Darius of Persia and Alexander the Great at the Battle of Issus. It is believed to be a copy of a Greek painting, possibly from the 4th century BCE. The mosaic is very powerful, full of emotion and expression. It is made of millions of tiny square pieces of stone known as ‘tesserae’.

OPLONTIS – October 2025 fantastic Roman villa, probably home of Poppaea, Emperor Nero’s second wife. Spectacular frescoes and a few mosaics. Well worth a visit. Ten mins from Pompeii and a different world….

PAESTUM – Roman mosaics fringe the Roman road that dissects the site to the west of the Greek temples.

PALERMO and MONREALE – The capital city of Palermo in Sicily was one of the most important artistic centre of the Mediterranean in the 11th and 12th centuries. During the reign of King Ruggiero the Norman Palace was decorated with fabulous mosaics and elegant marble floors. The Cappella Palatina (Palatine Chapel) was consecrated in 1140 and was decorated in the Byzantine mosaic style, featuring exotic animals (like the leopards below) and tropical vegetation. In the Cathedral of Monreale, located just outside the city of Palermo the walls were filled with bible stories, scenes from the life of Christ and elaborate mosaic paving. The Monreale mosaics rival those of San Marco in Venice.