The Basilica of San Vitale, located in Ravenna, in fact, in the architectural sense, is not a Basilica. This is one of the most interesting specimens of early Christian Byzantine art in Western Europe. The Basilica is included in the UNESCO world Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO.

The construction of San Vitale began in 527, the year when Ravenna was in the power of the Ostrogoths, and was completed 20 years later, when the city was already the capital of the Exarchate of Ravenna. The name of the architect of the Basilica remains unknown.

The Church has the shape of an octagon and combines elements of Romanesque architecture (the dome, shape of doorways, stacked towers) and Byzantine (polygonal apse, capitals). Of course, its main attraction are the luxurious Byzantine mosaics, the largest and best preserved outside of Constantinople (now Istanbul). In addition, it is the only Church in the days of Emperor Justinian I, survived almost unchanged.

The Central part of the Basilica is surrounded by two external deambulatory – circular rounds around the apse. In the upper bound for married women, preserved mosaics depicting scenes from the old Testament and images of the symbols of the evangelists on the walls. The vault of the presbytery is decorated with mosaics depicting leaves, fruits and flowers. The apse of the Basilica is framed by two chapels, which was typical of Byzantine architecture. Interestingly, the dome of this Basilica was inspired by the great Filippo Brunelleschi to create the dome of the Florence Cathedral.

Near San Vitale, the national archaeological Museum of Ravenna, where Roman coins, Byzantine ivory carving, frescoes, a collection of fabrics and paintings of 17th-18th centuries.