Basilica of San Vitale, Italy

From series “Monuments of Byzantium: the most famous buildings”

3 out of 15 - Saint Marks Basilica, Italy

4 out of 15 - Smederevo Fortress, Serbia

5 out of 15 - Uzhgorod Synagogue, Ukraine

6 out of 15 - Basilica of San Vitale, Italy

8 out of 15 - Sacre-Coeur Basilica, France

Year: 548.

A beautiful early Christian basilica is also preserved in Ravenna. It is considered a striking example of the Byzantine style. It was named after Saint Vitale. The basilica has been a UNESCO site since 1996. Unique mosaics are considered to be its main value. They managed to survive in their original form after hundreds of years. Construction of the basilica began in 527. The Bishop of Ecclesia was its founder.

The consecration of the basilica took place in 548. It was decorated with unique mosaics in the same period. Even a layman in the field of art can notice that the mosaics are made in different styles looking at them today. This is because different masters worked on their creations. The basilica has many new architectural elements for hundreds of years of existence. The new bell tower was built in the 13th century. The first large-scale reconstruction of the temple took place in the 16th century.

Its visitors can admire the most beautiful elements of marble decoration today. The interior walls are almost completely lined with it. The old floor is also preserved in the basilica. It is decorated with an unusual geometric ornament. Elaborate mosaics with biblical and historical motifs make the Basilica of San Vitale look like an art museum. It will not be enough for one excursion to appreciate the splendor of all the works of art. The exterior of the basilica seems more than modest with all its chic interior decoration. A very beautiful garden is laid out around the religious landmark today.

Next - Venetian Arsenal

Uzhgorod Synagogue, Ukraine

Venetian Arsenal, Italy

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Basilica of San Vitale - interactive map

Useful staff nearby

ATM bankomat: 'UBI Banca Spa' located in 0.1 km (

check the route on the map).

Car rental office: 'WM Service' is located in 0.34 km (

on the map).

Fuel station: 'Eni' in 0.81 km

Supermarket: 'Onofri Dolores' in 0.28 km

Parking: 'MotoParking' in 0.13 km

Apotheek: 'Farmacia S.Biagio Di Pietro Gueltrini' in 0.09 km

Police station: 'Guardia di Finanza Comando Gruppo Investigativo Ravenna' in 0.26 km

Cafe/restaurant: 'Mille E Una Notte Kebab Fast Food' in 0.05 km

Railway station: 'Ravenna' in 1.11 km

Nearest airports:
» La Spreta Airport RAN - in 6 km

» Forli Airport FRL - in 26 km

» Federico Fellini Airport RMI - in 55 km

» Guglielmo Marconi Airport BLQ - in 72 km

» Peretola Airport FLR - in 104 km

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Best hotels near Basilica of San Vitale

Palazzo Bezzi Hotel

Located in 0 km from Basilica of San Vitale
Route on the map:

Rooms: 32

Rooms and suites come with a minibar and private bathroom with free toiletries and hairdryer. Each is decorated in white or pastel shades, while some … More: photo, rates and booking

Dimora delle Emme

Located in 1 km from Basilica of San Vitale
Route on the map:

Rooms: 3

With air conditioning, rooms have air conditioning. They come with a flat-screen TV, wardrobe and desk. Guests at Dimora delle Emme can enjoy a sweet … More: photo, rates and booking

Ostello Dante

Located in 2 km from Basilica of San Vitale
Route on the map:

Rooms: 41

… More: photo, rates and booking

B&B La Piccola Oasi 1 e 2

Located in 3 km from Basilica of San Vitale
Route on the map:

Rooms: 4

The rooms are spacious and are equipped with air conditioning, tiled floors, and functional furniture. The rooms offer a private kitchen or free use … More: photo, rates and booking

Nearest unique sightseeing spots to visit

10 km - Mirabilandia

From the series 'The Most Fantastic Amusement Parks in the World'

The Italian park Mirabilandia offers its guests the excellent conditions for unforgettable recreation. This is one of the largest parks in Europe and covers an area of about 800 square kilometers. The park is located in Ravenna's surroundings. In addition to …

44 km - Italia in Miniature

From the series 'Famous Miniature Museums of Architectural Objects and Cities'

You can see all the famous historical and cultural sites of Italy in one excursion, just visit the "Italy in Miniature" park, located in the immediate vicinity of the city of Rimini. This park of miniatures is one of the largest in the world, its area is 85 hectares. …

57 km - Guaita Tower

From the series 'Amazing Ancient Fortresses Preserved to This Day'

In the tiny state of San Marino, you will find the World Heritage site - the ancient Guaita castle, whose construction dates back to the 11th century. In reality the old castle is only a part of the architectural complex, which consists of three towers. They were …

67 km - Two Towers of Bologna

From the series 'Falling towers and buildings'

The towers of Bologna have been considered one of the main attractions of the city for many years. There are a lot of tower buildings of different periods in the city. The very first of them began to be built in the 11th century. There were about 200 tower structures …

68 km - Basilica di San Petronio

From the series 'Famous unfinished buildings '

You can see the beautiful Basilica di San Petronio in the main square in the heart of Bologna. It is one of the largest Catholic churches in the world. Even though the church is not a cathedral, it is still considered the most important in the city due to its …

103 km - Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore

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Florentine Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore is the centre of the pilgrimage for Christians from the whole world. This cathedral has placed right at the centre of the city on the Piazza del Duomo. This historical building is a valuable masterpiece of the quattrocento …

Top destination around Basilica of San Vitale - Ravenna

Ravenna offers its guest a vast selection of excellent restaurants of ethnic cuisine. Visitors will find there a great variety of the most popular Romanic dishes, one of the main ethnic dishes is a special type of egg pasta. It is commonly cooked under various sauces and seasonings; almost every restaurant can boast of a number of unique chef’s dishes. Tourists wishing to try genuine ethnic food should order tardura dish. It is a soft egg pasta added with boiled eggs, parsley and aroma meat broth.

Tortelloni is another popular dish being commonly stuffed with various fillings: ricotta, greens, cheese and various vegetables. Inimitable fish dishes are the main peculiar feature of ethnic cuisine. Fastidious gourmands will love seafood soup cooked using various ingredients, which are never added to main courses. Flounder, eel, shrimps, grey mullet, rock-fish and squids are several ingredients, which can be added to main course. In addition to aroma soup restaurants usually offer fish croquettes.

Traditional dishes fans will appreciate fish fillet croquettes, meanwhile sophisticated gourmands will appreciate croquettes made of lobster. The restaurants of the resort offer a rich choice of exotic dishes: Ravenna is famous for a delicious frog soup. It should be noted that this dish is much appreciated not only for its inimitable taste, but also for amazing heeling values. This soup includes a great number of nutritive elements, several decades ago this soup was used as medicine for curing ill people.
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