Mosaics in Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna (6th century)

The sumptuous mosaics that cover the walls of the nave in Sant'Apollinare Nuovo reflect the dominant role that mosaics had assumed in the churches of the Christian East.

The mosaics are divided into three tiers. The lowest tier, below the clerestory windows, comprises processions of figures against a continuous gold background: to the south, male martyrs advance from Theodoric's palace towards Christ enthroned; to the north, female martyrs set out from the port of Classis towards the Virgin and Child enthroned, who are adored by the Magi.

Between the windows in the second tier are 32 isolated figures of Apostles and Prophets. The topmost tier consists of 26 panels, 13 on each side, of which those on the left relate to Christ's ministry and those on the right to his Passion and Resurrection.

Preview Picture Data File Info Comment
Interior decoration
6th century
Mosaic
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

1300*1044
True Color
230 Kb



Interior decoration (south wall)
6th century
Mosaic
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

2403*500
True Color
241 Kb



Interior decoration (detail)
6th century
Mosaic
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

900*842
True Color
238 Kb



South wall (detail)
6th century
Mosaic
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

900*675
True Color
238 Kb



Procession of the male martyrs (detail)
6th century
Mosaic
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

1000*733
True Color
250 Kb



Blessing Christ between Angels
c. 500
Mosaic
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

1200*626
True Color
247 Kb



Blessing Christ between Angels
c. 500
Mosaic
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

1100*731
True Color
190 Kb



Palace of Theodoric
6th century
Mosaic
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

1500*563
True Color
250 Kb



Interior decoration (north wall)
6th century
Mosaic
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

1926*400
True Color
238 Kb



Procession of female martyrs (detail)
6th century
Mosaic
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

1000*576
True Color
225 Kb



Procession of female martyrs (detail)
6th century
Mosaic
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

900*606
True Color
222 Kb



Procession of female martyrs (detail)
6th century
Mosaic
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

638*850
True Color
246 Kb



Procession of female martyrs (detail)
6th century
Mosaic
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

637*850
True Color
241 Kb



The Three Magi
6th century
Mosaic
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

1000*585
True Color
254 Kb



The Three Magi (detail)
6th century
Mosaic
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

768*1000
True Color
233 Kb



Virgin and Child Enthroned
6th century
Mosaic
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

1050*643
True Color
239 Kb



Port in Classe
6th century
Mosaic
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

1500*531
True Color
243 Kb



Prophet
6th century
Mosaic
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

715*1200
True Color
232 Kb



Christ before Pilate
6th century
Mosaic
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

1300*997
True Color
229 Kb



Miracle of the Loaves
6th century
Mosaic
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

1300*1000
True Color
242 Kb



Arrest of Christ
6th century
Mosaic
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

900*720
True Color
227 Kb



Last Supper
6th century
Mosaic
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

1300*1006
True Color
246 Kb



Dividing the sheep from the goats
6th century
Mosaic
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

1050*726
True Color
240 Kb



Dividing the sheep from the goats (detail)
6th century
Mosaic
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

695*900
True Color
242 Kb



Samaritan Woman at the Well
6th century
Mosaic
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

695*900
True Color
251 Kb



Christ between Four Apostles
early 6th century
Mosaic
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

850*806
True Color
252 Kb



Emperor Justinian I
6th century
Mosaic
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

1000*962
True Color
245 Kb




Early Christian Mosaics
Early Christian Mosaics (all)
Mosaics in Rome
Santa Costanza | Santa Pudenziana | Santa Maria Maggiore
Santi Cosma e Damiano | Other churches
Mosaics in Ravenna
Galla Placidia | Orthodox and Arian Baptisteries | San Vitale
Sant'Apollinare in Classe | Sant'Apollinare Nuovo
Mosaics in other places