The Battistero of San Giovanni (Baptistery of St. John)

This impressive octagonal building can be found next to the Duomo in the Piazza of San Giovanni, and it is one of the oldest buildings in the whole of Florence, built between 1059 and 1128.

The Battistero is famous for its three sets of bronze doors featuring relief sculptures by the artist Lorenzo Ghiberti - these were dubbed by Michelangelo as 'the gates of paradise' because of their spectacular beauty. Through the ages, famous figures from  Italy's history have been baptized in the Battistero, including Dante Alighieri (The Divine Comedy) as well as members of the Medici family. It was right up until the end of the 19th century that all Catholic Florentine's were baptized in the battistero.

As with many of Florence's historic masterpieces, the inside of the building is not, at first glance, as dramatic as seen from outside. But on closer inspection the art shines through: The octagonal dome is adorned with mozaics of local Florentine artists which are thought to have been completed in 1300. The mozaics are considered to be some of the greatest in Western Europe as a result of their ornateness, and due the breadth of narrative shared with its viewing public - scenes feature Christ during last judgement while  other mozaics depict the period of Creation along with other biblical scenes from the lives of Joseph and St. John. Also noteworthy is a masterpiece by Donatello, but you'll need to visit the Battistero for yourself to see more.

Opening Times
November-March: 09.00- 13.30
March-September: 09.00- 19.30
October-November : 09.00- 18.00