Photos of the Basilica of Sant’ Apollinare Nuovo Mosaics

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Photos of the Basilica of Sant’ Apollinare Nuovo Mosaics, Ravenna. Fabulous Byzantine Roman style mosaics. Photos by photographer Paul E Williams.  (TIP – use the icons below the slideshow for thumbnail photos and info)

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Photos of the Basilica of Sant’ Apollinare Nuovo Ravenna Mosaics.

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Photos of the Basilica of Sant’ Apollinare Nuovo Ravenna Mosaics.

The Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo was originally constructed as an Arian church by Theodoric the Great in the late 6th century. In 561 AD Emperor Justinian I reconsecrated the church as a Catholic Christian church and it is from this date that most of the Byzantine Roman mosaics date.

The church is a traditional Basilica style with a central aisle and two naives. Along the full length of the aisle on both sides are two processional mosaics.

22 Virgins Procession Mosaic

Running along the left side of the aisle is a continuous mosaics of a procession of 22 Virgins led by the Three Magi towards the Madonna and Child surrounded by four angels.

The three Magi are named Balthasar, Melchior and Gaspar; this is thought to be the earliest example of these three names being assigned to the Magi in Christian art.

Martyrs Procession Mosaic

Running along the right side of the aisle a procession of 26 Martyrs, led by Saint Martin and including Saint Apollinaris. They are moving away the Palace of Theodoric towards a group depicting Christ enthroned amid four angels. 

This mosaic is beautiful in its simplicity and the procession points towards the Apse of the church and the altar.