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Baptistery of San Giovanni

The Baptistery was built between 1316 and 1325 and is tucked beneath the last sections of the cathedral choir, reached by the stairs from Piazza San Giovanni. Its Gothic façade was left unfinished at the top. Inside, the main piece is the hexagonal baptismal font, made between 1417 and 1431 in gilded bronze, marble and enamels by several masters: Jacopo della Quercia, Lorenzo Ghiberti, Donatello, Giovanni di Turino and Goro di Neroccio. The reliefs tell the life of Saint John the Baptist; Ghiberti signs the Baptism of Christ and Donatello the Feast of Herod, and at the corners appear figures of virtues, among them Donatello's Faith and Hope. Above the font is a marble tabernacle designed by Jacopo della Quercia, with five prophets and a small figure of the Baptist. The walls and vault preserve frescoes by Vecchietta and his workshop with scenes from the Passion and articles of the Creed.

Things to do at Baptistery of San Giovanni: 4 missions

• Look at the unfinished Gothic façade from the squareFrom Piazza San Giovanni, see how the Gothic façade stops halfway up and how the building rests beneath the cathedral's choir.
• Find Ghiberti's Baptism of Christ on the fontWalk around the hexagonal baptismal font and find the gilded bronze relief of the Baptism of Christ, by Lorenzo Ghiberti.
• Find Donatello's Feast of HerodAmong the panels of the font, identify Donatello's Feast of Herod and, at the corners, the figures of Faith and Hope, which are also his.
• Look at Vecchietta's frescoes in the apseLook up at the wall and vault of the apse, where Vecchietta painted scenes of the Passion such as the Flagellation and the Road to Calvary.

Near Baptistery of San Giovanni

Source: Web oficial - Opera della Metropolitana di Siena