After the visit to the Sicis Art Mosaic Factory, another must-see in Ravenna was the Basilica of San Vitale, a stunning example of early Byzantine art and architecture. The church was begun by Bishop Ecclesius in 526, when Ravenna was under the rule of the Ostrogoths; it was completed by the 27th Bishop of Ravenna, Maximian, in 547 preceding the Byzantine Exarchate of Ravenna. The architect of the church is unknown.

All these mosaics are executed in the Hellenistic-Roman tradition: lively and imaginative, with vivid colors and a clear perspective, and with a rich representation of the landscape, plants and birds. They were completed when Ravenna was still under Gothic rule.  

The result is a breathtaking space that captivated Michael.