Buy tickets & tours:GetYourGuide The Neonian Baptistery (Italian: Battistero Neoniano) is one of the most ancient and remarkable monuments in Ravenna, carrying profound historical, architectural, and artistic significance. Dating back to the early 5th century, it stands as the oldest building in Ravenna still preserved virtually intact and reflects the city’s transformation into a major center of early Christianity within the late Western Roman and Byzantine worlds. Today, the Neonian Baptistery forms part of Ravenna’s UNESCO World Heritage listing – the Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna. Despite its modest exterior, the baptistery houses some of the most stunning 5th-century mosaics in the world, giving insights into early Christian theology, symbolism, and artistic achievement. Short History of the Neonian Baptistery The Neonian Baptistery was begun in the late 4th or early 5th century CE during the period when Ravenna became the capital of the Western Roman Empire under Emperor Honorius. It was initially erected at the behest of Bishop Ursus (Orso), who also founded the associated cathedral, known historically as the Basilica Ursiana – now largely lost except for fragments incorporated into later structures. Construction continued into the mid-5th century and was completed around AD 450 under Bishop Neon Read more [...]