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An easy and brisk several minute walk from the Battistero degli Ariani took me to the Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, the Basilica of Sant' Apollinare Nuovo. This church was erected in the 6th century by Theoderic the Great. |
The basilica has a simple nave with 12 Corinthian columns on each side. The walls of the nave and clerestory are adorned with mosaics. |
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| On the left (north) side, a procession of the 22 virgin martyrs, bearing gift, walks towards the Virgin and Child. | On the right (south) side, a procession of the 26 male martyrs, bearing gift, walks towards Christ. |
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| To the left, I started walking along with the 22 virgin martyrs towards the Virgin and Child, and looked up. The Virgin was flanked by angels. | And to the right, I approached Christ with the 26 male martyrs. I was extremely amazed not just by glittering mosaics on the nave wall but also by the structure and composition. As I took a closer look at Christ's eyes, I noticed that He was gazing straight into the eyes of the Virgin who was sitting on the other side of the nave and She was gazing straight back into His eyes! I was totally impressed and got goosebumps. |
