BASILICA OF SANT'APOLLINARE IN CLASSE, Presentation And Exterior

Hi, my name’s Marcy, and I’m your personal guide. Along with MyWoWo, I’d like to welcome you to one of the Wonders of the World: the grand Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe.

The Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe is one of the largest surviving early Christian buildings.

Its designation "in Classe," which distinguishes it from the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo of the same name, is related to its location. In fact, it was built in the 6th century near the important port of Classe. The name of the place comes from the Latin word "classis" meaning "fleet."

Near here you can in fact visit the vast archaeological area of the ancient port, with the remains of roads and buildings dating from the 5th and 6th centuries, a period when this became one of the most important trading ports in the Mediterranean.

The building of the Basilica, financed by the same banker Giuliano Argentario, who had already incurred the expenses for the construction of the Basilica of San Vitale, was desired by Bishop Ursicinus. The church was dedicated to St. Apollinaris, who had founded the first Christian community here in Ravenna around the second century and was buried in a necropolis near the harbor....