Theodoric the Great built the church as his palace chapel in the first quarter of the 6th century. It was an Arian church, dedicated in 504 to Christ the Redeemer. Under Justinian it was reconsecrated in 561, and it was renamed in 856 when relics of Saint Apollinaris arrived. The article names no architect or dimensions.
The mosaics include 13 miracle and parable scenes on the left upper wall and 13 scenes of the Passion and Resurrection on the right. In the lower register, 22 virgins led by the Magi approach the Madonna and Child, and 26 martyrs led by Saint Martin approach Christ. Some column surfaces show arms and hands of figures of praying Goths, removed in Byzantine times.
There are 24 columns with simplified Corinthian capitals. The round bell tower dates to the 9th or 10th century. The apse was damaged in World War II and is now a reconstruction. UNESCO listed the church in 1996.
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