Battistero di San Giovanni, Early Christian baptistery in Canosa di Puglia, Italy.
The Battistero di San Giovanni is an early Christian baptistery in Canosa di Puglia with an octagonal floor plan. The structure contains four chambers positioned along the main axes, connecting corridors, and a central baptismal font with seven sides used during religious ceremonies.
The structure was built during Bishop Sabinus's tenure between 514 and 566 CE. It formed part of Canosa's sacred defensive complex alongside the Church of Santa Maria.
The structure reflects Roman building traditions, with the octagonal shape symbolizing renewal in early Christian architecture. This blend of classical forms and religious belief is visible in every architectural detail of the interior.
The site requires sturdy footwear as excavations reveal uneven ground and open structural areas. Plan enough time to explore the various chambers and the drainage system once used to manage water flow during ceremonies.
The floor retains original mosaic fragments decorated with four-pointed stars and diamond patterns from the 6th century. These artistic elements reveal the craftsmanship and design preferences of the early Byzantine population who inhabited the region.
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