After talking about it Basilica of San Vitale and its incredible mosaics I can not write about Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, another place linked to Ravenna's mosaic art. This church is also part of the UNESCO heritage sites and is certainly one of the unmissable stops during a visit to the city.
We are located in the city center, close to the railway station, in Via Di Roma 52. The building was born as a Palatine Church of Arian cult: Theodoric in fact had it built at the beginning of the XNUMXth century, next to his palace. The history of this place is closely linked to the events of the city, in fact only a few decide years after its construction, with the conquest of Ravenna by the Byzantines, it became the property of the Catholic Church and consecrated to Martin of Tours: this passage is strongly evident in the works that are inside, modified to eliminate the evidence of its original nature. The current name dates back to around the XNUMXth century when tradition has it that the relics of Sant'Apollinare, first martyr and bishop of Ravenna, were transferred here from Sant'Apollinare in Classe, just outside the city.
Already at first sight, looking at it from the square in front of it, one understands how much this Church has a particular and important personality: the white portico and the cylindrical bell tower in exposed stone attract the eye and the curiosity inviting you to enter.
THEinterior of the Basilica it is large, bright and far-reaching; above the colonnade, on the sides of the central nave, you immediately notice the fulcrum of this place: a mosaic cycle with three registers that runs the entire length of the building, up to the apse. The top consists of 26 scenes from the New Testament, in the middle bands the thirteen passions and thirteen miracles are depicted, still below on one side a procession of Saints and on the other a procession of Saints. These masterpieces testify both the historical-political changes linked to Ravenna, as well as the evolutions of this artistic technique, leaving every visitor speechless for the grandeur and detail of the work.
Here too, as in San Vitale, you can access with the cumulative ticket "The mosaics of Ravenna”Which includes in addition to these two places also the Neonian Baptistery, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia and the Archiepiscopal Museum at a total price of € 9,50 (€ 8,50 for the reduced) valid for one week; those who buy the ticket in the high season between 1/03 and 15/06 will have to add € 2 to visit the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia. The opening hours of the Basilica vary according to the time of year, so it is good to check before going on site, generally the opening is between 9.00 and 10.00 in the morning while the closing time for 17.30, except in summer, when it is one hour and a half. half after.
