Arian Baptistery
On Gingerguide's self-guided Ravenna audio tour, Arian Baptistery is a stop worth about ~20 min. Stand in front of it, press play for a short narrated story, and put any follow-up question to the built-in AI guide.
- Type religious
- Suggested visit ~20 min
- Ravenna Ravenna guide
About Arian Baptistery
The Arian Baptistery in Ravenna, a small eight-sided brick building of around 500, built by the Gothic king Theodoric for his Arian Christian community, with a dome mosaic of the baptism of Christ.
Theodoric and his Goths followed Arian Christianity and worshipped apart from the Catholic Christians of the city. Their baptistery copies the scheme of the older Neonian Baptistery: in the dome, Christ is baptised in the Jordan, and twelve figures led by Peter and Paul walk towards an empty throne. After the Byzantine conquest it became a Catholic chapel.
This is a state site with its own small ticket, separate from the diocesan one; it is often open only in the morning, so check before you go. It is a single small room.
Did you know? Theodoric built the Arian Baptistery of Ravenna around 500 for his Gothic community, which worshipped apart from the Catholic Christians of the city.
How much time do you need at Arian Baptistery?
Around ~20 min works well for Arian Baptistery — time to look properly and listen to its story on the spot. Linger if you like; nothing on a self-guided walk is on a clock.
Should you stop at Arian Baptistery?
Yes — Arian Baptistery made the cut as one of 13 places the Gingerguide team researched and narrated across Ravenna. The story tells you why it is worth the stop, and the AI guide fills in anything you still wonder.
Nearby stops in Ravenna
Day 1 of the Ravenna in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Arian Baptistery
Preview the Ravenna tour free in the Gingerguide app.