Baptistery of San Giovanni, Medieval baptistery near Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in Volterra, Italy
The baptistery is an octagonal building with green and white marble patterns on one side and a Romanesque portal decorated with sculpted figures of Christ and saints. Inside sits a pentagonal baptismal font created in the early 1500s alongside other religious furnishings from different periods.
The building was constructed before the year 1000 on the site of an earlier Roman temple, showing how this location served religious purposes across centuries. The ornate Romanesque portal was added in 1283 and became the main defining feature of the structure.
The baptismal font showcases scenes of Christ's baptism carved with careful detail and religious meaning. This artwork helped visitors understand the sacred moment through visual storytelling that was common in churches of that era.
The building sits beside the Cathedral and is easy to reach on foot while exploring the old town. It is helpful to check opening times before visiting, as they change between winter and summer seasons.
An ancient Roman sarcophagus has been repurposed as a holy water container inside the baptistery. This unusual reuse connects the pagan and Christian periods of the site in a subtle way that many visitors do not immediately notice.
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