basilica di sant'apollinare nuovo

The mosaics in this Basilica are the most magnificent I have ever seen in my life. The modest facade hides the most divine beauty inside. Overwhelming in size and has a real sense of spirituality.

Yet another amazing, beautiful and awe inspiring building in Ravenna. Words cannot fully describe these buildings and the utterly gorgeous mosaic work. A must see!

This Basilica is within the city of Ravenna and it is oddly very disappointing after having visited Basilica di Sant'Apollinare in Classe.

This basilica was built by the Goths in the 6th century and has both walls lined with brilliant mosaics. The right wall has 26 white-robed martyrs heading towards Christ with his apostles, and on the left wall is a procession of virgins bearing offerings to the Madonna. Also spread along both walls are scenes of Christ's life in smaller panels of mosaics. These are considered to be the best mosaics in Ravenna.

This was my second visit and it was better than I remembered. The mosaics are large and beautiful. We were the only ones in the basilica at the time and we looked at the mosaics from many different angles. It was amazing to see such old and colorful mosaics. I hope to show them to others the next time I visit.

The mosaics in the Basilica are breath-taking and very well preserved. It pays to have supple neck muscles as one is obliged to look up - a trick that a more experienced traveller showed us, was to bring a hand mirror and then sit in comfort looking at the reflections. The mosaics are intriguing and one needs a good hour or more to examine them.

Every spectacular mosaic in Ravenna -- and all of them are nothing less than spectacular -- possesses its own unique qualities. The breathtaking processional panels that decorate either side of the Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo are especially noteworthy, as they offer a glimpse of the controversy over Jesus' divinity that roiled the early Christian church. The original Arian mosaics were reworked in Byzantine style by the Emperor Justinian, but didn't quite erase the "heretical" earlier works. Whole saints were tiled over, but a stray hand on a pillar and a few blotted-out haloes remain. Look for the depiction of early Ravenna at the back of the left panel, and the glorious depictions of the Three Wise Men near the front, presenting their gifts to the Madonna and Child.

The Mosaics are almost impossible to describe. Built in 6th century, this is a Goths Arian church, changed to Byzantine by Justinian.The procession of virgins with halos and smiles is delightful. The 26 martyred men on the opposite wall, not so much so, but still special opportunities to glimpse past decades.

After a couple of missed turns I found the Basilica and was amazed to have the interior to myself for over 15 minutes. To be able to consult my guidebook and follow the stories told by the mosaics added to their beauty

this church is a little ways away from the other attraction but was worth search. It is a large, airy place with many mosaics and needs a little time to appreciate

Amazingly elaborate and detailed Byzantine-era mosaics, with both Greco-Roman and Byzantine styles of portraiture, in a church full of history. Must-visit.

Dante's tomb is close to the Basilica and well worth the visit. Dante Alighieri, author of the Divine Comedy, created the Italian language, just as Shakespeare created the English language. The vast mosaic works of Sant' Apollinare Nuovo are stunning. The procession saints ring the upper part of the basilica.

Perhaps you are now a bit tired of seeing so many mosaics all over the places. Just focus on the depiction of the cities, near the main entrance of the church: you can see the representation of Classis, the ancient city that dedicated its church to Apollinare, and Ravenna, the new city that wanted to express its power. They look like a big fortification with curtains, with beautiful colours.

Truly impressive, the picture in so many books about the oeriod and here it is, real and in front of you... luvky you!

Wonderful mosaics along the sides with great detail. Wish I could have seen the ones highest up that depicted different themes on each side. Large enough for several tour groups to be there at the same time.