Baptistery of Saint John

Location	Piazza San Giovanni
Admission	3 euro
Hours	Monday to Saturday, 12:00 pm – 6:30 pm Sunday, 8:30 am – 1:30 pm
Phone	390552302885

The Baptistery of San Giovanni stands in close proximity to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Campanile. Despite its antiquity, the signature white and green marble exterior fits elegantly into the surrounding scenery. The octagonal Baptistery is crowned with a triangular dome, which is notable for its shape, but significantly smaller than that of the adjacent Cathedral. Dispute exists over the exact time of the Baptistery’s construction, although many believe its present state dates from sometime between the 11th and 13th centuries.

When you visit the Baptistery, take time to explore the perimeter of the building. The three sets of bronze doors are testaments to the artistic talents of Florence’s masters. The first set of doors was commissioned to Andrea Pisano, while the second set were the product of a competition, won by Lorenzo Ghiberti. Not only did Ghiberti create the second set of doors, but he was also commissioned to sculpt the East doors, popularly referred to as the Gates of Paradise. Replicas of these doors are currently installed, while the originals are contained in the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. In addition to the famous doors, there are several statues settled atop the entranceways and in niches along the sides of the building.