Battistero di San Giovanni

The final structure in the piazza del Duomo is the Battistero di San Giovanni, or the Baptistery of San Giovanni.



















Built in 1128, The Baptistery of San Giovanni was one the most notable baptisteries in all of Tuscany, with key members of Medici family alongside poet Dante Alighieri having been baptized here.

Outside the Baptistery, classical bronze doors are sculptured onto the exterior. The east doors, sculpted by Lorenzo Guberti, are considered one of the most important works of the early Renaissance period and were dubbed by Michelangelo as, "The Gates of Paradise." It's also a breeding ground for tourists.

















 

As I surveyed the octagonal structure, I walked past a rather humorous group of Japanese tourists:















It reminded me of a mix between THE BIRDS and that mysterious woman from central park in HOME ALONE 2.

A sigh of relief washed over me as I entered the baptistery and saw no steps to climb.

Finally, a break...

The actual interior of the baptistery is quite impressionable, evoking various religious tales.

At the center of the dome lies a gigantic fresco of Jesus. The middle of the baptistery was supposedly where the inductees were baptized, and in doing so were able to look up upon the fresco of Jesus as a source of inspiration, encouragement, and fulfillment.

Here's some footage I shot to give you a good 360 view of the interior:

Battistero di San Giovanni

Alongside the Basilica and Giotto's Belltower, the baptistery completes the expansive piazza del Duomo. The piazza is truly exceptional and thoroughly worth visiting, just expect to do a small amount of climbing.

Just a small amount...