San Domenico church (Ravenna) | Gothic (architecture), exhibition center

 church, Gothic (architecture), exhibition center

The church of San Domenico is one of the most imposing buildings in Ravenna. It was erected in the 13th century along the Padenna river, together with the adjacent Dominican monastery, and enlarged in the following century. Traces of six pointed arches are still visible in the lower part of the bare 13th century façade (never completed), three on each side of the entrance, probably originally occupied by sarcophagi. The church was almost entirely and quickly rebuilt in the 18th century. The interior has a single nave with seven chapels, three on each side of the nave and one to the left of the apse. Fragments of 14th century frescoes from the Rimini school are preserved in the sacristy and in the bell tower chapel, and the church also hosts Late Renaissance and neoclassical works by major Ravenna painters. It has been deconsecrated and is today used as an exhibition hall.