Battistero degli Ariani

Theodoric and his Goths were Arian Christians: they believed that the Son was not equal to the Father. In Ravenna they coexisted with the Catholics, and each had their own churches. This baptistery was built for the Arians between the late 5th and early 6th centuries, next to their cathedral, now the church of Santo Spirito.

The dome recalls that of the Battistero Neoniano, a few decades older, but with differences that matter. At the centre Christ is a beardless youth immersed in the water, baptised by John, with the old River Jordan seated beside him. Around them, the twelve apostles walk on a gold background towards an empty throne with the cross, led by Peter and Paul.

After the Byzantine victory the baptistery was consecrated to Catholic worship and became an oratory dedicated to Santa Maria. Today it is small, bare on the outside, and sits a few metres below street level: you go down into the little square and see it appear.

It is one of Ravenna's eight UNESCO monuments. The visit lasts just a few minutes, but with the combined ticket for the state monuments it is worth pairing with the Mausoleo di Teodorico.