Basilica di San Apollinare Classe

Apollinare was the first bishop of Ravenna and was buried here in the basilica carrying his name. This church was originally constructed in 549AD and the mosaics date to this period. It is interesting to compare the intricacy of the floor tiles here with the simplicity of the images from St. Johns.

These were the some of the last mosaics installed by the great artisans of Ravenna and shows the level of skill they had attained. Although we can not show it here, the incredible beauty when illuminated certainly makes it feel as though heaven is close to this earthly sphere.