Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna
Ravenna was the seat of the Roman Empire in the 5th
century and then of Byzantine Italy until the 8th century. It has a
unique collection of early Christian mosaics and monuments. All eight
buildings – the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, the Neonian Baptistery, the
Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, the Arian Baptistery, the
Archiepiscopal Chapel, the Mausoleum of Theodoric, the Church of San
Vitale and the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe – were constructed
in the 5th and 6th centuries. They show great artistic skill, including a
wonderful blend of Graeco-Roman tradition, Christian iconography and
oriental and Western styles.