Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna 
Interior of the church. Photo © Paradoxplace.com.
Mosaic of a procession on the nave wall. Photo by Amelie.
Exterior of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo; Justinian. Photo © Paradoxplace.com.
Procession from Classe on left wall. Photo by EvaUppsala.
The Three Magi. Public domain photo.
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo is a 6th-century church in eastern Ravenna. Named for Ravenna's first bishop, Sant'Apollinare is known for its two rows of figurative mosaics. Both show processions of martyrs and virgins bearing gifts for Christ and the Virgin Mary.
History
This basilica was built by Theodoric sometime after 500 AD as an Arian cathedral (same era as the Arian Baptistery); it was converted into an orthodox (Catholic) church in 560. The porch and the apse date from the 16th and 18th centuries.
What to See
The interior of the church contains 24 marble columns from Constantinople. The walls are virtually covered in glittering mosaics dating from the 6th century AD:
- on the left-hand wall is the Roman port of Classe, with ships;
- on the right-hand wall is the town of Ravenna, with its churches and Theodoric's palace, and saints in Byzantine costumes;
- above the friezes are prophets;
- above the windows are scenes from the New Testament - on the left the sayings and miracles of Christ (who is shown beardless), on the right scenes from the Passion (with a bearded Christ).
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Ravenna Map or get our free Google Earth download.
- PlanetWare (2006).
- Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna - UNESCO World Heritage List
- San Apollinare Nuovo - Paradoxplace
