Basilica di Sant'Apollinare in Classe
The most perfect Byzantine basilica of Ravenna, consecrated in 549, with the great apse mosaic of Sant’Apollinare; a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe stands a few kilometres from the centre of Ravenna, near the tomb of Saint Apollinaris, the city’s first bishop. It was consecrated by Archbishop Maximian in AD 549 and is considered the most perfect example of Ravenna’s Byzantine basilicas.
The exterior is in plain brick, with a cylindrical bell tower of the 9th century. The interior is divided into three naves by twenty-four columns of Proconneso marble, with capitals decorated with acanthus leaves stirred by the wind. The apse is polygonal on the outside and circular on the inside, with the prothesis and the diaconicon on either side, and beneath it lies an early medieval crypt.
The mosaic decoration includes, in the apse conch, Saint Apollinaris in a green landscape, surrounded by twelve sheep that represent the faithful of the Church of Ravenna, and the figures of the four bishops of Ravenna between the windows (6th century); in the presbytery are represented the sacrifices of the Old Testament and the handing over of privileges to the Church of Ravenna (7th century). The basilica is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and forms part of the Musei nazionali di Ravenna.
Highlights
- Apse mosaic with Saint Apollinaris and the twelve sheep
- Twenty-four columns of Proconneso marble
- Cylindrical bell tower of the 9th century
- Early medieval crypt
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
Permanent exhibition
- Mosaici della basilica – The mosaic of the apse conch with Saint Apollinaris, the figures of the bishops and the scenes of the presbytery.
- Founded
- 550
- Operated by
- Musei nazionali di Ravenna (Ministero della Cultura)
- Visitors per year
- approx. 197,126
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
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| Reduced | €2according to the regulations of the Ministero della Cultura (for example EU young people aged 18 to 25) |
A 10% service fee applies to online purchases.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The basilica is a few kilometres from the centre of Ravenna, on Via Romea Sud, and should not be confused with Sant’Apollinare Nuovo.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Coat check
Bookshop, cloakroom and multimedia stations.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Information and bookings: +39 320 953 9916, prenotazioni@ravennantica.org. |
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