Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo
Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Early Christian basilica in Ravenna, Italy.
The two side walls of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo display detailed figurative mosaics dating from approximately 500 AD, extending along the entire length of the nave.
The basilica, constructed in 505 AD as an Arian cathedral by King Theodoric, transformed into a Catholic church in 560 AD with a dedication to Saint Martin.
The interior walls present a complete visual narrative sequence depicting biblical scenes, miracles, parables, and numerous saints in chronological progression.
The basilica maintains regular opening hours for visitors, features wheelchair accessibility throughout the structure, and received over 200,000 visitors in 2021.
The mosaics include what scholars identify as potentially the earliest representation of Satan in western art, located near a scene of Judgment Day.
Location: Ravenna
Inception: 505
Architectural style: Early Christian architecture, Byzantine architecture
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Part of: Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna
Website: https://ravennamosaici.it/basilica-di-santapollinare-nuovo
GPS coordinates: 44.41674,12.20460
Latest update: May 28, 2025 18:20
Stone mosaics adorn buildings across continents, offering insights into the artistic traditions of different eras. Roman floor mosaics feature mythological scenes and geometric patterns in villas and public baths. Byzantine wall mosaics in churches depict religious figures using gold tesserae, while Islamic mosaics in mosques and palaces showcase intricate geometric and floral compositions. Examples of this art form can be found at Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, where Christian and Islamic elements coexist, in the early Christian basilicas of Ravenna with their detailed biblical narratives, and at the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem with its elaborate arabesques. Modern interpretations appear in subway stations, public squares, and contemporary buildings, demonstrating the continued relevance of this technique.
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