Battistero di San Giovanni

The Baptistery takes its name from Saint John the Baptist, whose stories are represented in 28 bronze and gold tiles decorated by Andrea Pisano and to be found on the central entrance portal.

The lateral portals are by Lorenzo Ghiberti where the stories of the Evangelists, of the Old Testament, and of the Doctors of the Chruch are represented.

It was built during the 5th century and restored during the 11th and 13th centuries. It has an octagonal base, a lantern vault, and white and green marble covered walls. The flooring is also in marble.

The Baptismal Font bears mosaics which are similar to the Bizsantine mosaics. It also hosts works of art amongst which a wooden statue of the Maddalena, and the tomb of the anti-Pope Giovanni XXIII by Donatello. The Gothic style alter of the Baptistery is in silver and is conserved in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.