Basilica of Sant'apollinare in Class is a Prime example of early Byzantine art. It was built in the 6th century on the site of the tomb of the first Bishop of Ravenna St. Apollinaris. The Saint's relics were discovered during construction, and then for a long time kept inside the Basilica. However, in the middle of the 9th century because of the threat of enemy raids had to be moved inside the city walls, the Basilica of Sant'apollinare Nuovo. There they remained until 1748, the year when the remains of the Saint was returned to the original place and placed in the main altar of the temple. In 1996, the year the Basilica of Sant'apollinare in Class made a UNESCO world Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO.

Luxury mosaic decoration of the Basilica were created over several centuries – from the 6th to the 9th century. Later was added to the Church aisle, porch and bell tower. Unfortunately, after the attack on Ravenna Venetians in the mid-15th century from the original mosaics have only fragments – in the apse.

The building of the Basilica is built of thin unfired bricks. The facade is decorated with double arches with pilasters and semicircular Windows. Inside the main nave is framed by 24 columns standing on square bases and topped by capitals with the Byzantine pattern. The marble for these columns were brought from the Greek island of Proconnesus, and above them are murals depicting the bishops of Ravenna.

Among the attractions of the Basilica of Sant'apollinare in Class, it is possible to allocate the altar of the virgin of the 11th century in the Central nave, 10 medieval sarcophagi and a small marble urn of the 4th century with a touching inscription: "Licinia Valerie Faustina Itálica, which rest in the world who has lived one year, six months, six days, beloved daughter from grieving parents".