Flooded crypt, Basilica of San Francesco, Ravenna, Italy Jan 6, 2025

In the Italian province of Ravenna lies the Basilica of San Francesco, recognised for its beauty and historical significance. This Romanesque church, originally built in 450 CE, features a sturdy square bell tower added in the 9th century, enhancing the basilica"s exterior. Its design features three naves, divided by two rows of 12 columns each. Featured in today"s image is the basilica"s real showstopper: the basement crypt or a burial chamber is a stunning model of early religious design. Complete with vaulted ceilings that slope down into rows of stone columns, its floor is a work of art itself. It"s inlaid with beautifully intricate mosaic tiles that have withstood the test of time.

© Andrea Pucci/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Jan 6, 2024A male chaffinch in a crab apple tree
Jan 6, 2026Nuuk, Greenland

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Dec 30, 2023Daiichi Tadami River Bridge, Fukushima, Japan
Apr 14, 2025Atlantic spotted dolphins near Santa Maria Island, Azores, Portugal
Feb 6, 2025Archway Islands, Wharariki Beach, South Island, New Zealand
Oct 30, 2024Gran Paradiso National Park, Italy
Jun 20, 2025Seljalandsfoss waterfall, Iceland
Nov 17, 2023Copper Falls State Park, Wisconsin, USA
Jul 19, 2024A young jaguar, Pantanal, Brazil
Jan 20, 2026Gentoo penguin, Petermann Island, Antarctica
Dec 29, 2023Oud-West neighbourhood, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Dec 20, 2025Red fox
Mar 13, 2024Lesser flamingos, Lake Magadi, Kenya
Sep 21, 2023Inside the Nobel Peace Centre, Oslo, Norway
Aug 24, 2023Shark Fin Cove, California, USA
Oct 9, 2024Aspens near Marble, Colorado, USA
Aug 26, 2025Trullo buildings in Alberobello, Apulia, Italy
Aug 2, 2024Saint-François, Guadeloupe, Caribbean
Aug 20, 2024Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA
May 18, 2024Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Canada
Feb 13, 2025Lake Tyrrell, Victoria, Australia
Feb 27, 2025Polar bear cub, Churchill, Manitoba, Canada
Mar 4, 2025Jackson Square, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
May 28, 2024The Monastery of Roussanou
Nov 18, 2024Porthcawl lighthouse, Wales
Jun 26, 2025Horse Head Rock, New South Wales, Australia
Sep 4, 2023Marshes of Bourges, France
Feb 28, 2024Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland, England
Nov 2, 2024American bison in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA
Sep 18, 2023Milky Way over Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park, Portugal
Mar 24, 2024Silvereyes, South Korea
Aug 26, 2023Berlin Cathedral and Museum Island, Berlin, Germany