Baptistry of Neon, also bearing the name of Neon - is the oldest building in Ravenna, decorated with Byzantine mosaics. In 1996, he was included in the list of World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

Baptistery, in the shape of an octagon, was built in the 4-5 th centuries on the foundations of Roman Baths, and originally bore the name of Orthodox Baptistery. His second name he received on behalf of the Bishop Neon, who ordered the second half of the 5th century Its interior was decorated with mosaics. Interestingly, today the building of the Baptistery three meters lower than it was initially - it is "sunk" in the cultural layer.

The interior of the Baptistery is decorated with mosaics and Ionic columns and high reliefs depicting the prophets - all this luxury was meant to emphasize the special importance of the sacrament of baptism. In the center you can see the baptismal font with eight faces, made in the 16th century from the Greek marble and porphyry. Its unique feature is the pulpit, carved from a single piece of marble. The lateral arch preserved the throne of the 6th century, and placed near the old bronze cross, which in 1963 took off from the roof.

The mosaics of the Baptistery are divided into three cycles. The first tier is dominated by floral ornament on a blue background. Second cycle decorates the space between the arches of the second tier, and the third - the space under the dome. All mosaics are relevant to the subject of the heavenly Jerusalem, and under the dome can be seen scenes of baptism of Christ and the image of the 12 apostles.