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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
912 reviews
Excellent
558
Very good
297
Average
49
Poor
5
Terrible
3
Ron S
Vancouver, Canada386 contributions
May 2011 • Couples
From the outside, the Arian Baptistry doesn't look like much: it's a small octagonal building constructed of greyish brown brick. Entry is free and it's located down an easy-to-miss side street, making you wonder if it's even worth seeing. But trust me, it is. When you walk inside you'll still be wondering why you're there; the walls inside are the same bleak grey-brown that they are outside. You may even frown in consternation. What's so special about this place, you may wonder.
Then you look up.
If you don't gasp in awe when you first see the spectacular mosaic that covers the inside of the Baptistry's domed roof, there's something wrong with you. Golden tiles positively glitter down at you, and the figures in the mosaic--Christ, John the Baptist, and the Apostles--are depicted in bright whites and rich blues. Your neck will stiffen up like it did when you visited the Sistine Chapel, but you won't even notice.
You may have seen pictures of this mosaic before, but they can't possibly do justice to the experience. Of course you should see the main mosaic sights in Ravenna, but be sure to include this little treasure on your itinerary.
Then you look up.
If you don't gasp in awe when you first see the spectacular mosaic that covers the inside of the Baptistry's domed roof, there's something wrong with you. Golden tiles positively glitter down at you, and the figures in the mosaic--Christ, John the Baptist, and the Apostles--are depicted in bright whites and rich blues. Your neck will stiffen up like it did when you visited the Sistine Chapel, but you won't even notice.
You may have seen pictures of this mosaic before, but they can't possibly do justice to the experience. Of course you should see the main mosaic sights in Ravenna, but be sure to include this little treasure on your itinerary.
Written June 18, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JH7
Exeter, UK20 contributions
Sept 2019
More wonders in Ravenna - and another very peaceful and contemplative space in Ravenna.
The ceiling is sensational and a fantastic real-life example of Arianism and how important a liturgical dispute this was in the nascent years of Christianity.
The ceiling is sensational and a fantastic real-life example of Arianism and how important a liturgical dispute this was in the nascent years of Christianity.
Written October 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
walksrocco
Edmonton, Canada158 contributions
Sept 2019
The colours are bright and beautiful after 1500+ years! Well worth a visit! Christ looks like a wimpy teenager, but hey, I guess he was one, at some point....
Written September 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kirk E
Santa Fe, NM982 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
Just when you think another Ravenna mosaic couldn't possibly impress, the Arian Baptistry wows with its artistry and the amazing grace of its figures. Somehow this ceiling escaped the wholesale reworking of Arian images by the Byzantines, determined as they were to stamp out the Arian "heresy" which emphasized Jesus' humanity over his divinity. The central baptismal scene, with a very anatomically correct Jesus half-immersed in the River Jordan, flanked by John the Baptist and a pagan image of the river god, is the most impressive of many similar images to be seen in Ravenna. Located in a slightly hard-to-find cul-de-sac off the main tourist artery, the Arian Baptistry is less visited than other sites, and allows for longer contemplation of its wonders.
Written November 8, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Larry B
Hudson, OH34 contributions
Jul 2013 • Solo
Smaller than the similar "Neoniano" Baptistry, the Arian Baptistry is more pristine, not suffering from the rather unfortunate restoration of the Neonian. To find it, head out on the street in front of the railway station a few blocks until it becomes a pedestrian mall. Halfway down the mall, you'll see a small street to the right named after the baptistry; it will turn to the right and lead you to the (free) baptistry.
Written July 7, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FifiLeHutch
London21 contributions
Oct 2019
Nothing much to look at from the outside but the inside is breathtaking. There's not as much gold as San Vitali but you're so close to the mosaics, it's hard not to be incredibly moved when you see them. I was surprised and amazed by how beautiful this was
Written November 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patricia G
Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom156 contributions
Oct 2019
This Battistero from the outside was pretty shabby. The area was unkempt and untidy.
OMG inside was stunning. It took my breath away. I’ll never forget it!!
OMG inside was stunning. It took my breath away. I’ll never forget it!!
Written October 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruno Pianoro Italia
Pianoro, Italia23 contributions
Nov 2018
another interesting monument with byzantine mosaics you cannot miss if you decide to visit Ravenna, one of the most beautiful italian towns.
Written October 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ron S
New York City, NY5,930 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
The Arian Baptistery was built by King Theodoric in the early 6th century. The mosaic depicting a scene of the baptism of Jesus with figures of the apostles around it adorns the building's dome. Entry tickets can be bought in the machine near the entrance for €2 so have a sufficient supply of coins.
Written May 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
g w
52 contributions
Feb 2020
Another of Ravenna's magnificent monuments, beautiful mosaics. take your time, look at it from different angles!
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
In un quarto d'ora si può visitare.
Written October 11, 2023
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