Battistero di San Giovanni, Gothic baptistery at Piazza San Giovanni, Siena, Italy.
Description
The Battistero di San Giovanni is a rectangular Gothic structure located beneath the cathedral in Siena with an ornate interior layout. A hexagonal marble baptismal font with bronze panels forms the centerpiece of the space, while the walls display painted frescoes.
History
The building was constructed between 1316 and 1325 when Siena experienced economic prosperity and could finance ambitious public projects. Its location beneath the cathedral links the baptistery with the religious hierarchy of the medieval city.
Culture
The baptismal font displays the work of major Renaissance artists who created its bronze panels in the early-to-mid 15th century. This collaboration of different masters makes the font a place where you can see the artistic development of that era.
Practical
The space lies beneath the cathedral and is accessible via stairs or connecting passages. A visit typically takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how closely you examine the details of the baptismal font and wall paintings.
Did you know?
The frescoes on the walls display not only religious scenes but also Prophets and sibylline figures rarely shown in Christian art. These depictions blend pagan and Christian symbols in an unusual way.
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Siena is a Tuscan city built on three hills, where medieval streets wind between brick buildings and open onto piazzas. The shell-shaped Piazza del Campo hosts the Palio horse race twice a year and serves as the town's main gathering place. The Cathedral, with its black-and-white marble facade,...
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