Sant'Apollinare Nuovo

Sant'Apollinare Nuovo is one of the most famous landmarks in Italy. The early Christian basilica, which is very popular among tourists, is located in the small city of Ravenna. The basilica is famous for its magnificent mosaics, in this article we will learn about interesting facts about this unique basilica.

History

It is worth noting a very important fact - Sant'Apollinare Nuovo is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. In the 6th century, King Theodoric began construction of the basilica, which he decided to dedicate to Christ the Savior. The construction itself took place next to the royal palace, the ruins of which have survived to this day. The appearance of the first mosaics dates back to the times of the Goths - Arians. After a long period of time, the city of Ravenna was taken over by Emperor Justinian, who rejected the Arian trend. All buildings built by Theodoric were re-consecrated by Orthodox Christians, old mosaics were destroyed or moved to other places.

In 858, the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo officially received its current name, it was in this year that the last consecration of the church took place and the relics of St. Appollinaria. The church underwent several changes. In the 10th-11th centuries. a bell tower was added to it, and in the 16th century. They began to raise the floor level of the church due to the risk of flooding, unfortunately, as a result of this, the original mosaic floor was irreparably damaged. In the 18th century, side chapels were added, one of which is the Chapel of St. Anthony, where festive processions take place annually.

The Miracles of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo

The central place in the basilica is occupied by mosaics laid out on the walls, vaults, and floors. Each mosaic is unique - you can see various prophets, angels, as well as scenes from the New Testament and other Gospel motifs. It is a curious fact that in Sant'Apollinare Nuovo there are no mosaics dedicated to the death of Christ. A real work of art is the northern wall of the church, which depicts 13 scenes of Christ's miracles.

We can see ancient mosaics of the Arian period (which have survived to our time in their original condition) and other works of sculptural decoration: a peacock and a cross, a carved throne and a canopy made of porphyry. The four-part barrier next to the throne with the image of a vine is surprising. In the 20th century, it became known about the reverse side of the barrier, on which unique images from the 6th century were preserved.

The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo is a unique place where everyone can enjoy an atmosphere of peace and aesthetic pleasure. This tourist destination is a must-see for all art lovers.