Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Basilica of Saint Apollinaris in ClasseBasilica di Sant'Apollinare in Classe |
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The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| Province | Archdiocese of Ravenna-Cervia |
| Region | Emilia-Romagna |
| Year consecrated | 549 |
| Location | |
| Location | Classe, Ravenna, Italy |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural style | Byzantine architecture |
| Groundbreaking | Early 6th century |
| Official name: Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna | |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | i, ii, iii, iv |
| Designated | 1996 (20th session) |
| Reference no. | 788 |
| State Party | Italy |
| Region | Europe and North America |
The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe is a very old and beautiful church. It is located in Classe, a town near Ravenna, Italy. The church was officially opened on May 9, 549 AD. It was dedicated to Saint Apollinaris, who was the first bishop of Ravenna.
This church is a great example of Byzantine art, which was popular in the Eastern Roman Empire. In 1996, the UNESCO organization added it to its World Heritage List. UNESCO said the church is special because of its simple design and amazing decorations.
Contents
History of the Basilica
Building a Sacred Place
Work on the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe began in the early 500s. Bishop Ursicinus ordered its construction. A rich Roman banker named Iulianus Argentarius helped pay for it.
The church was built next to an old Christian cemetery. It might even be on top of an older pagan burial ground. Some ancient tombstones were reused to help build the church.
Classe: A Port City
Back then, Classe was a busy port city right on the coast. It was the main home for the Roman fleet, which is how the town got its name. Over many centuries, the coastline has moved. Now, the sea is about 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) away.
The church is made of strong brick. It was officially opened by Bishop Maximian in 549 AD. This means it was built around the same time as the famous Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. The bones of Saint Apollinaris are kept inside this church today.
Changes Over Time
In the 1400s, a ruler named Sigismondo Malatesta took some marble from the church. He used it to build another church called the Tempio Malatestiano in Rimini.
Architecture and Design
Outside the Church
The outside of the church has a large front wall. It has two simple upright parts and a window with three openings. The entrance area and the building to its right were added later.
The church also has a tall, round bell tower. This tower was added in the 800s. It has windows with multiple openings. This bell tower is the tallest in Ravenna!
Inside the Church
The church has a main area called a nave and two side aisles. This is a common design for a basilica. In the middle of the nave, an old altar marks the spot where Saint Apollinaris was martyred. The church ends with a rounded section called an apse. Two smaller chapels with apses are on each side.
The nave has 24 columns made of Italian marble. The tops of the columns have carvings of acanthus leaves. These leaves look twisted, as if the wind is blowing them. Faded fresco paintings on the walls show some of Ravenna's past archbishops. These paintings are from the 1700s.
The side walls are plain now. But they were once covered with beautiful mosaics. These mosaics were likely removed by the Venetians in 1449. Luckily, they left the amazing mosaic decorations in the apse and on the triumphal arch. These are the most striking parts of the church.
Wonderful Mosaics
The mosaics in the church tell important stories.
Triumphal Arch Mosaics
The upper part of the triumphal arch shows a picture of Christ in a circle. Around him, in a sea of clouds, are symbols of the four writers of the Gospels:
- An Eagle for John
- A Winged Man for Matthew
- A Lion for Mark
- A Calf for Luke
The lower part of the arch shows precious gems on walls. From these walls, twelve lambs appear. These lambs represent the Twelve Apostles. On the sides of the arch, two palm trees symbolize justice. Below them are the archangels Michael and Gabriel. There is also a picture of Saint Matthew and another saint.
Apse Mosaics
The mosaics in the apse are from the 500s. They have two main parts:
- Upper Part: A large circle shows a starry sky with a cross made of gems. Above the cross, a hand reaches out from the clouds. This is known as the Hand of God. On the sides of the circle are the figures of Elijah and Moses. Below them, three lambs represent Saints Peter, James, and John. This scene reminds us of the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor.
- Lower Part: This part shows a green valley with rocks, bushes, plants, and birds. In the middle is Saint Apollinaris. He is shown praying to God for his followers, who are shown as twelve white lambs.
The choice of these mosaic subjects was important. They helped to show that Christ was both divine (like God) and human. They also showed that Maximian was a true bishop, just like Apollinaris among the apostles.
Between the windows in the apse are pictures of four bishops. They founded the main churches in Ravenna: Urscinus, Ursus, Severus, and Ecclesius. Each holds a book.
On the sides of the apse are two mosaic panels from the 600s. The left panel shows the Byzantine Emperor Constantine IV giving special rights to an envoy from Ravenna's archbishop. The right panel shows Abraham, Abel, and Melchisedek around an altar. They are offering a sacrifice to God.
Ancient Sarcophagi
The walls of the Basilica are lined with many sarcophagi. These are stone coffins from different centuries. They show how art styles changed from the 400s to the 700s. You can see changes from Roman sarcophagi with human figures to Byzantine symbols, and then to simpler, more abstract designs.
Images for kids
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image from the nave
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Christ preaching, Triumphal Arch
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The apse is lavishly decorated with mosaics, such as the Crux Gemmata
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Saint Apollenaris
