Visit Ravenna to See Top UNESCO-Listed Mosaics and Early Christian Monuments

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by Henk Bekker

in Emilia Romagna, Italy, Ravenna

The UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List includes eight sites in Ravenna as superb examples of early Christian monuments and Late Antiquity mosaics.

Collage of top UNESCO-Listed sites  to see in Ravenna

The top sights to see in Ravenna in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy are the eight early Christian monuments with Late Antiquity (or Byzantine) mosaics inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list in 1996. Six of these monuments are in the old town center (and seen on combination ticket passes). The Mausoleum of Theodoric is a short walk from the town center while the large Church of Sant’Apollinare in Classe is a short drive away towards the Adriatic coast. All eight sites in Ravenna can be seen in a busy day but few would regret staying longer in this pleasant town.

Neonian (Orthodox) Baptistery in Ravenna

Neonian Baptistery in Ravenna Dome Mosaic

The Orthodox Baptistery (also known as the Neonian Baptistery) is from the fifth century and is the oldest of the numerous octagonal baptisteries and religious structures in Ravenna. Its mosaics have been over-restored during the nineteenth century, but are still absolutely worth seeing. (Time-slot reservations are essential.)

The adjacent cathedral replaced the fifth-century basilica destroyed in 1734. It is of limited artistic value and, despite its size, not a major sight in Ravenna.

The Archiepiscopal Chapel in Ravenna

The Archiepiscopal or St Andrew’s Chapel (Capella Arcivescovile o di Sant’Andrea) was the private oratory of the bishops of Ravenna. It was constructed around AD 500 with the mosaics dating from the same period.

The early sixth-century Archbishop’s Chapel (also known as the Oratory of St Andreas) is seen inside the Archiepiscopal Museum. It is the smallest of the UNESCO-listed sights in Ravenna. The chapel is in a Greek cross form with mosaics on the vaults. It is the oldest private Christian oratory in existence.

Arian Baptistery in Ravenna

Dome Mosaic of Arian Baptistery in Ravenna

The sixth-century Arian Baptistery is an octagon with its mosaics and iconography closely resembling that of the older and larger Neonian Baptistery.

In compliance with Ostrogothic King Theodoric’s ordinances, it was erected to give Arian believers a separate baptistery from those following the orthodox doctrine.

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Basilica Sant’Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna

Nave Mosaics of Sant'Apollinare Basilica in Ravenna

The sixth-century Sant’Apollinare Nuovo was the palatine (court) church of Theodoric and the mosaics here are amongst the highlights of visiting Ravenna.

Some mosaics were destroyed or altered to hide the ones too obviously Arian or praising Theodoric but there are still mosaics running the full length of the lateral walls of the nave.

Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna

The Basilica of San Vitale is a highlight of any visit to see the Byzantine wall mosaics in Ravenna, a town popular with day trippers from Venice and Bologna. San Vitale in Ravenna has the largest Byzantine mosaics outside Istanbul and is the best example of Justinian church architecture in existence.

The sixth-century San Vitale is also overwhelmingly beautiful. The Byzantine influences in the architecture and mosaics in this church are clearly visible to make it quite different from any other in the region.

The mosaics here are considered to be the largest and most important examples of Byzantine art outside Istanbul.

Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna

Vault Crossing Mosaic Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna

The mosaics in the fifth-century Mausoleum of Galla Placidia are the oldest in town and often considered the artistic highlight of Ravenna. (Time-slot reservations are essential.)

It may have the loveliest night sky ever produced in antiquity. Galla Placidia probably commissioned this small chapel in AD 425 although it was never used for her remains.

Mausoleum of Theodoric in Ravenna

The tomb of Ostrogoth King Theodoric in Ravenna is a unique construction in a town famous for its early Christian monuments and Byzantine mosaics.

The Mausoleum of Theodoric – the tomb of the Ostrogoth king who died in 526 – is slightly to the northeast of the old town across the railway line. It is a unique building with no style element truly linked to the Roman or Greek periods.

The structure is on two levels but the most impressive feature is probably the single round stone that serves as a roof to the tomb – it is still totally unknown how the stone was moved from Istria or how it was placed in that position. It is the only surviving tomb of a “barbarian king” from Late Antiquity.

Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe

The Basilica di Sant'Apollinare in Classe is one of the best-preserved churches from antiquity. The architecture is beautiful, but the magnificent Byzantine mosaics in the apse make it absolutely worth visiting this church near Ravenna.

The Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe is the largest Late Antiquity church in Ravenna. It is around 8 km outside the center of Ravenna in Classe, which used to be the second-largest naval base of the Roman Empire.

This brick church maintained its original appearance, as when it was consecrated in AD 549. It has a beautifully decorated interior with mosaics and frescoes. A small mosaic here may well be the first depiction of Satan in Western art.

The modern-looking pattern with bright colors on the intrados in the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna.

Time-slot reservations are currently essential to see the Mausoleum of Galla Placida and the Neonian Baptistry in Ravenna. This is easiest done when buying the tickets online.

  1. Top Sights to See in Ravenna
  2. UNESCO-Listed Sites in Ravenna
  3. Visiting UNESCO-Listed Sites in Ravenna – Opening Hours and Tickets
  4. Neonian Baptistery & Archbishop’s Chapel
  5. Arian Baptistery
  6. Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo
  7. Basilica of San Vitale
  8. Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
  9. Mausoleum of Theodoric
  10. Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe
  11. National Museum of Ravenna

Book Guided tours of Ravenna — tours are generally three hours. For tours not including admission fees, around €12 per person must be added. Small groups and families may find better value in private tours.

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