Date of birth
The art historians have not yet agreed on the “date of birth” of the Florence Baptistery of St.John.
IX century… XI century…?
Anyway, the Florentine people were used to seeing their “Bel San Giovanni” as Dante Alighieri was used to call it, long before the Cathedral, Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella were built, and because of this, the Baptistery was and is one of the most beloved places of worship in Florence.
Surprises
Of course, when someone thinks to the Baptistry (or Baptisterium), the thoughts go immediately to its 3 doors on its north, east, and south sides. Not many visitors expect to see what this gem has inside. The surprise is endless.
Every time I am here, I have the impression of being inside a big treasure trove of precious things. It is enough to look around to see them all:
One of the first “Renaissance tombs” made by Donatello and Michelozzo for the anti-Pope Baldassarre Cossa (John XXIII).
The floor decoration is literally carved in marble with geometric and figurative designs.
The floor mosaic of the ancient Roman Domus built in the area before the Baptistery (not easy to see).
The Dome
The amazing gem is the dome, decorated with mosaics from the first half of 1200 to the first half of 1300. The mosaics of the Baptistery’s dome are considered among the most important of the Italian Middle Ages.
I’m sure once you get into the baptistery, you will not want to go out before having seen everything!
