Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo

Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo

Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo: Early Christian mosaics in Ravenna. The Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, located in the heart of Ravenna, Italy, is a significant example of early Christian architecture. Constructed between the end of the 5th and the beginning of the 6th century AD by the Ostrogothic king Theodoric the Great, it was originally dedicated to Christ the Redeemer. Following the Byzantine conquest of Ravenna, the basilica was reconsecrated to Saint Martin of Tours in the mid-6th century and later to Saint Apollinaris, the first bishop of Ravenna.

The basilica is renowned for its exceptional mosaics, which adorn the walls of the central nave. These mosaics depict scenes from the life of Christ, the apostles, and various saints, offering a rich tapestry of early Christian iconography. Notably, the mosaics on the lower walls, which originally depicted figures associated with the Arian court, were replaced in the 6th century to align with Orthodox Christian themes.