Basilica of Sant'apollinare Nuovo is one of the oldest churches of Ravenna, built in the first half of the 6th century king of the Ostrogoths Theodoric as a Palace chapel. Initially, this Arian Church was dedicated to Christ the Redeemer, and in 561, the year the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I gave her the name of the Sanctus Martinus in Coelo Aureo. After the suppression of the Arian cult, she was pereosviashchena in honor of St. Martin of tours, an ardent opponent of Arianism.

According to legend, Pope Gregory the Great ordered to cover all the mosaics in the Basilica, because of their magnificent radiance distract believers from praying. In 856, the year the Basilica was again renamed, this time in honor of St. Apollinaris, whose relics were moved here from the Basilica of Sant'apollinare in Class.

The apse and atrium of the Church was modified several times and rebuilt, starting with the 6th century, when part of the original mosaics were destroyed, as was deemed too Arian. Fortunately, the mosaics of the lateral walls 24 columns with simplified Corinthian capitals and a pulpit were saved. Some of the columns still can be seen the fragments of figures, depicting the once ready and the court of Theodoric and deleted during the Byzantine Empire. Recent restoration work on the mosaics was carried out in the middle of the 19th century, but the apse was completely rebuilt after the First World war.

In the top of the left side wall of the Basilica has survived 13 small mosaics with images of Christ's miracles and parables, and on the right wall – 13 mosaics depicting the passion and resurrection. The scene of the flagellation and crucifixion are missing. Mosaic decorative panels separated with image niches in the shape of a shell and two pigeons. Historians believe that these works of art have worked at least two masters.

The entrance to the Basilica is preceded by a marble portico, built in the 16th century. And next to it, to the right of the portico, has a round bell tower 9-10th centuries. In 1996 year, UNESCO included Sant'apollinare Nuovo in the list of UNESCO world Cultural Heritage.