The mausoleum is a small cruciform structure with a high centre bay surmounted by a pendentive dome and giving access to four low barrel-vaulted arms all sheathed in figural mosaics. Its plain exterior of blind arcades and pilasters contrasts with the predominant blue, green, and gold interior, which contains one of the best-preserved Early Christian mural mosaics.

In the interior, lunettes of the cross-arms are representations of the Good Shepherd, the Martyrdom of St Lawrence, harts at the fountain of life, and doves drinking from vases. Whereas the first two mosaics are executed in the Hellenistic tradition and have an airy quality, the others and the striking star patterns that decorate the barrel vaults of each arm are two-dimensional in form. Pairs of Apostles stand in the lunettes of the central square, which rises to a star-spangled vault with a cross in the middle, perhaps representing the dome of heaven.

Preview	Picture Data	Info
	Interior decoration 425-50 Mosaic Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna
	Interior decoration 425-50 Mosaic Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna
	Harts at the Fountain of Life 425-50 Mosaic Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna
	Martyrdom of St Lawrence 425-50 Mosaic Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna
	Martyrdom of St Lawrence 425-50 Mosaic Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna
	Mosaic decoration (detail) 425-50 Mosaic Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna
	Good Shepherd 425-50 Mosaic Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna
	Decoration of the lunettes 425-50 Photo Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna
	Mosaic decoration (detail) 425-50 Mosaic Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna
	Interior decoration (detail) 425-50 Mosaic Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna
	Mosaic decoration (detail) 425-50 Mosaic Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna