Baptistery of San Giovanni ad Fontes, Early medieval baptistery in Lomello, Italy
The Baptistery of San Giovanni ad Fontes is an early medieval baptismal chapel built of brick, arranged around a cross-shaped plan with an octagonal center space. A dome crowns the central section, giving the building its distinctive profile.
This structure was founded during the early medieval period, with brickwork originating from the 5th to 6th centuries forming part of the original construction. A dome was added in a later phase, marking an evolution in the building's architectural development.
The structure displays hallmarks of Lombard design with its brick walls and unusual octagonal footprint. It served as part of an early medieval sacred site where believers were baptized, a spiritual role that the space still reflects today.
Visitors can only access this building through coordinated visits with the neighboring Santa Maria Maggiore church. Plan your visit for weekends between April and November, when the church opens to guests.
The space beneath the central dome sits slightly below street level, creating a sunken quality in the interior. Two separate entrance portals lead inside, an architectural feature that hints at its medieval ceremonial purpose.
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