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]

St Apollinaris in Classe with its byzantine mosaics
St Apollinaris in Classe with its byzantine mosaics

St Apollinaris in Classe with its byzantine mosaics
St Apollinaris in Classe with its byzantine mosaics

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]