Along the left side of the church is the tall cylindrical bell-tower (post 9th century)
[Sant Apollinare in Classe - Ravenna - Italy]

Altar in Sant Apollinare
Besides its architectural structure, it is renowned for its mosaics and marble sarcophagi of former archbishops along the side naves [Sant Apollinare in Classe - Ravenna - Italy]

Altar in Sant Apollinare
The Basilica was consecrated in 549 by the Archbishop Maximian and was dedicated to Sant'Apollinare, the first Bishop of Ravenna [Sant Apollinare in Classe - Ravenna - Italy]

Medallion with a haloed portrait of Christ
In the middle of the upper register of the arch, there is a medallion with the haloed portrait of Christ

Numerous marble sarcophagi (from 5th to the 8th century) stand in the two aisles
[Sant Apollinare in Classe - Ravenna - Italy]

On the sides, immersed in a group of many coloured clouds, there are the symbols of the Evangelists
[Sant Apollinare in Classe - Ravenna - Italy]

The flock is symbolised by twelve sheep in a vast floral valley surmounted by a symbolic representation of Transfiguration
The flock is symbolised by twelve sheep in a vast floral valley surmounted by a symbolic representation of Transfiguration [Sant Apollinare in Classe - Ravenna - Italy]

The interior is divided into the nave and two aisles which maintains the fascination of its ancient splendour
[Sant Apollinare in Classe - Ravenna - Italy]

The magnificent bowl vault apse
The bowl vault of the apse is fully occupied by the majestic figure of Sant'Apollinare with his arms in a praying position in the middle of his flock [Sant Apollinare in Classe - Ravenna - Italy]

There are twenty-four columns of Greek marble with transversal veining
[Sant Apollinare in Classe - Ravenna - Italy]