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All 17 Ravenna Attractions »

Basilica San Vitale

Via Fiandrini, Italy
0544-219938
Ranked #1 of 15 attractions in Ravenna
5.0 of 5 stars 102 Reviews
Type: Religious Sites, Historic Sites
Traveller Description: Ravenna The Basilica of San Vitale was ordered by Ecclesio bishop of Ravenna between 522 and 532. Works began in the years after 525 and were... more »
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102 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    93
    5
    4
    0
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Date Rating
Philadelphia
Senior Contributor
26 reviews 26 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 May 2012 NEW

Well-organized on a multi-site card, this is a must see for mosaic-hunters. The entire complex was lovely, with good spirit and an echo of ghosts. It was not crowded and all the sight-lines were excellent. More

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Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 May 2012 NEW

Nice to see the mosaics but not sure I would travel great distances to spend time in Ravenna. More

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Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Top Contributor
59 reviews 59 reviews
Reviews in 18 cities Reviews in 18 cities
19 helpful votes 19 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 May 2012 NEW

This is not just mindblowing for the extraordinary frescoes, but also for the way the light streams in and plays on them. A masterpiece of design, with the most incredible mosaics. Shock and awe in the best sense. Have to go. Buy the combo ticket, which gives access to 5 of the best mosaics around, and savour them all. Ravenna... More

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Australia
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 May 2012

in awe - the beauty and the age of the place. yes it can be a bit boring for those who dont like old churches and mosaics but to the rest of us it was great More

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Claremont, CA
Top Contributor
79 reviews 79 reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
43 helpful votes 43 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 18 May 2012

One of several sites featuring extraordinary mosaic decoration, the Basilica is one of the larger such locations. Reading about these World Heritage sites did not prepare us for their stunning beauty. Exquisitely executed art. More

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Reading, PA
Top Contributor
213 reviews 213 reviews
Reviews in 25 cities Reviews in 25 cities
451 helpful votes 451 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 May 2012
1
person found this review helpful

The mosaics are just breath taking. They look like they were finished yesterday. This is the reason people visit Ravenna. More

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Faro
Top Contributor
62 reviews 62 reviews
Reviews in 25 cities Reviews in 25 cities
29 helpful votes 29 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 May 2012

All Unesco Ravena monuments are amazing but San Vitale is the most amazing of them all. It´s not a big cathedral, but the mosaic decoration,the details, the harmony, leave you dazzled More

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London
Contributor
17 reviews 17 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 May 2012

My favourite of all Ravenna's mosaics. The figure of Christ floating on a blue globe above the world is extraordinary, and the Hospitality of Abraham really charming. More

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Cuddesdon
Senior Contributor
30 reviews 30 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
22 helpful votes 22 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 April 2012

Despite the school trips and the weather this has the best mosaics anywhere More

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Orlando, Florida
Senior Contributor
39 reviews 39 reviews
Reviews in 17 cities Reviews in 17 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 April 2012

the most beautiful basilicas ; everyone has written about these mosaics but I would like to add that the floor mosaics -even though not as breathtaking as the apsis ones- are very interesting and of historical importance as well-there are some cosmatis along the roman ones also. Please visit this site, you won't be disappointed. More

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