Baptistry San Giovanni, Religious building in Piazza del Duomo, Pisa, Italy
The Baptistry San Giovanni is a cylindrical religious building in Pisa that stands on the Piazza del Duomo next to the Leaning Tower. The exterior shows alternating rows of white marble and grey stone, while arcades and columns run across multiple stories and create a circular shape.
Construction began in 1152 under Diotisalvi, an architect from the area, and continued for over a century. Nicola Pisano and later his son Giovanni added further work in the 13th century, including the dome and the pulpit.
The name San Giovanni refers to John the Baptist, the patron saint of Florence, and the building has served for centuries as a place for Christian baptism. Today, travelers visit the interior to see the carved pulpit and tall columns, while religious services continue to take place in the church next door.
The entrance is on the piazza, and the main level is accessible for wheelchair users. Visitors should expect to wait for a while, especially during the summer months, when the number of people inside at once is limited.
The building has two domes stacked on top of each other, one inside and one visible from the outside, which extend the sound in the space. Every thirty minutes, a staff member sings individual notes to show how the acoustics work and how long the echo lasts.
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