Ravenna was the seat of the Roman Empire in the fifth century and then of Byzantine Italy until the eighth century. It has a unique collection of mosaics and early Christian monuments. All eight buildings -- the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, the Neonian Baptistery, the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, the Arian Baptistery, the Archiepiscopal Chapel, the Mausoleum of Theodoric, the Church of San Vitale, the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe -- were constructed in the fifth and sixth centuries. All show great artistic skill, including a wonderful blend of Greco-Roman tradition, Christian iconography and oriental and western styles.