Which Ravenna basilica is famous for mosaics showing Theodoric the Great’s palace and harbor?
Answer
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo
The Ravenna basilica famous for mosaics showing Theodoric the Great’s palace and harbor is Sant'Apollinare Nuovo.
The church was built by Theodoric the Great in the early sixth century as an Arian palace chapel. Its long nave is lined with extensive mosaic panels arranged in horizontal bands above the columns.
The mosaics include processions of male martyrs and female saints, along with architectural views of Ravenna’s Palace of Theodoric and the harbor at Classe. Some imagery was altered after Byzantine forces conquered Ravenna and Arian worship was suppressed.
The church is often confused with Sant'Apollinare in Classe, which lies outside the historic city and is famous for its apse image of Saint Apollinaris. Sant'Apollinare Nuovo is distinguished by its exceptionally long nave and processional wall mosaics.