Ravenna

Ravenna was the western center of the Christendom when the seat of Rome was transfered to Constantinople. As a result, several beautiful churches and basilicas were built in the 5th and 6th century and decorated with mosaics which exist today in excellent shape.  Ravenna is a great day trip from Florence with a direct train at 7:30 am that gets you in by 10 am, costing around 11 euro each way. From the train station it is a short walk to the center and the main attractions of the city.

San Vitale  - 526 AD - one of the most important examples of early Christian Byzantine art and architecture in western Europe.   

 The Basilica of Sant' Apollinare Nuovo - 561 AD

Mosaic of the greatest saint ever: Saint Martino!

The Basilica of Sant' Apollinare in Classe - 549AD -  is described as "an outstanding example of the early Christian basilica in its purity and simplicity of its design and use of space and in the sumptuous nature of its decoration". The basilica is a 15 minute bus ride from Ravenna and is situated in what used to be Classe, the main port on the Adriatic founded by Augustus Cesar around 20 BC. Today the basilica is found isolated surrounded by fields of sunflowers. a stunning contrast of nature and architecture.

For more info: Ravenna Tourism