A little-known city in Europe has as many as 8 monuments under UNESCO protection: where is it located

If you're looking for an interesting and informative vacation destination, the UNESCO World Heritage List can be a great help. For example, did you know that as many as eight sites on this list are located in one small Italian city?

According to the Mirror, it is the city of Ravenna in the Emilia-Romagna region. It is literally filled with history, and all the monuments on the list are considered to be among the most important examples of architectural and artistic art of the fifth and sixth centuries AD.

Here you can admire the ancient colored mosaics that were created by combining small pieces of material called tesserae. The monuments are located within walking distance of each other, and tourists are encouraged to purchase a combined ticket for several of them. There are also many organized walking tours where you can learn more about these monuments.

Mausoleum of Galla Placidia

This is a small but very expressive early Christian structure built in the fifth century. The mausoleum has the shape of a Greek cross with four crossbars of equal length. Its exterior is made of brick, which is typical of the architecture of that time. However, the interior is not so modest. The mausoleum is decorated with luxurious mosaics.

San Vitale Cathedral

This is probably one of the most famous monuments in Ravenna. The cathedral was built between 526 and 547 AD. It is undoubtedly a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture and is famous for its exceptional mosaics and architectural design. The mosaics inside the building combine Christian iconography with imperial motifs and have survived to this day in excellent condition.

Neona Baptistery

This building is also called one of the most important and best-preserved early Christian monuments in Ravenna. It is famous for its exquisite mosaic decoration. The mosaics inside the baptistery are mostly made of golden glass tesserae. Their bright colors seem to glow from within.

Archbishop's chapel

The luxuriously decorated building is located in the archbishop's palace. The chapel was built in the fifth century and then restored in the sixth century. It served as a private chapel for the archbishops of Ravenna. The dimensions of the building are quite modest, but the design follows all the canons of the early Christian style and focuses on simplicity and symbolic decor.

Basilica of Sant'Apolinare Nuovo

This structure was built by the Ostrogothic king Theodoric the Great in the early sixth century to promote Arian Christianity in the region. Like other significant monuments in the area, the basilica is famous for its mosaics and architectural beauty. The building has a traditional Roman architecture shape with a long nave, two side aisles, and an apse at the end. The rather modest facade hides an extravagant vaulted ceiling and marble columns.

Arian Baptistery

The construction of this monument dates back to the late fifth or early sixth century, during the reign of the Ostrogothic king Theodoric the Great. He adhered to Arian Christianity, and this was reflected in the churches he built. The baptistery has an octagonal shape, symbolizing renewal and rebirth in Christian architecture. Inside you can see magnificent mosaics with bright colors and intricate details. The image on the dome depicts the scene of Christ's baptism. The fact that the baptistery has survived to this day is amazing in itself, as Arianism was recognized as a heresy and was persecuted in the Middle Ages.

Mausoleum of Theodoric

Theodoric Mausoleum is the most famous funerary structure of late antiquity. The monument was built by order of King Theodoric himself around 520 AD. The mausoleum has a decagonal perimeter stretching over two levels and a large monolithic dome. It also features some of the world's finest examples of Byzantine mosaics, including the "Good Shepherd" and the "Starry Ceiling" on the central dome of the mausoleum. It looks like a dark blue sky with golden stars.

Basilica of Sant'Apolinare in Classe

This building is an example of early Christian architecture and was built in the sixth century. It was consecrated in 549 AD by Archbishop Maximian and dedicated to St. Apollinarius, the first bishop of Ravenna and patron saint of the city. The building has a simple plan with a large nave surrounded by two side aisles separated by colonnades of marble columns. Inside the basilica are large mosaics, marble slabs, and wall paintings. The mosaic in the apse is considered one of the most famous examples of Christian art. The mosaic depicts St. Apollinaris praying in the middle of a lush green field filled with sheep. This symbolizes his role as a shepherd of his flock.

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