The Baptistery of Saint John (Battistero di San Giovanni) in Florence is one of the city’s most famous icons and one of the highlights of our Florence discovery tour. An octagonal striped structure made from white and green marble sourced in Carrara and Prato with a pyramidal roof, it’s a unique example of Romanesque architecture.
The history of the Baptistery is shrouded in mystery. Built from the ruins of an antique roman house or domus, the exact date of its creation is still unknown. Historical records indicate that initial building took place the IV and V century, but the baptistery’s marble exterior was mostly likely completed during the XII century along with the addition of the third level of the building roof and the lantern.
The baptistery has three large doors with bronze castings that together depict the story of John the Baptist:
1. the south doors, by Andrea Pisano, outline the life of Saint John the Baptist;
2. the north doors, by Lorenzo Ghiberti, are filled with scenes from the New Testament;
3. the east doors, the most famous one, called the Gates of Paradise, also by Ghiberti, are based on tales from the Old Testament.
The interior is colorful with marble mosaics decorating the pavement, apsis and dome, and supported by large granite columns, with wonderful Corinthian capitals covered in gold. Among the impressive display of artworks, you can also admire the magnificent carved holy water fonts and a tomb dedicated to the Pope John XXIII made by Donatello and Michelozzo.
Travel tips: Entrance tickets for the Baptistery start at 5 euros, but we suggest buying a multi-ticket – which includes the Giotto Bell Tower (Campanile), Dome in Santa Maria del Fiore and Museum of the Opera del Duomo.
If you are in Florence on June the 24th, the entrance to the baptistery is free. It’s the city’s patron saint’s day i.e. the festival of Saint John the Baptist and crowds will be plentiful but the atmosphere is really amazing.
Opening Hours:
11.15 a.m. – 7.00 p.m.
Sunday: 8.30 a.m. – 2.00 p.m.
Easter Monday: 8.30 a.m. – 7.00 p.m.
April 25: 8.30 a.m. – 7.00 p.m
May 1: 8.30 a.m. – 7.00 p.m
Closing days:
January 1, Easter, September 8, Christmas Eve and Christams
Ticket:
€ 5,00
Combo Ticket 1:
€ 15,00 (Baptistery + Santa Reparata + Bell Tower + Museum Opera del Duomo)
Combo Ticket 2:
€ 23,00 (Baptistery + Santa Reparata + Brunelleschi Dome + Giotto Bell Tower + Museum Opera del Duomo)