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Baptistery of St John

The Baptistery of St John is an octagonal Romanesque building on Piazza del Duomo, opposite the cathedral. Its exterior is clad in white Carrara marble and dark green Prato serpentine, with blind arches and corners decorated with white and black bands. Its three doors keep sets of bronzes: the south door, by Andrea Pisano, with 28 panels depicting scenes from the life of St John the Baptist and virtues; the north door, made by Lorenzo Ghiberti after winning a competition in 1401, with scenes from the New Testament; and the east door, known as the 'Gates of Paradise', also by Ghiberti, with ten Old Testament panels. The current doors are copies; the originals are kept in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo. Above the east door stands the sculptural group of the Baptism of Christ, begun by Andrea Sansovino and completed by Vincenzo Danti and Innocenzo Spinazzi. Inside, visitors can see the mosaic ceiling, begun around 1225 with Venetian craftsmen and probably completed in the 14th century, which depicts the Last Judgement with a majestic Christ, angels, scenes from Genesis, of Joseph, of Mary and Christ, and of St John the Baptist. For centuries the building was where Florentines were baptised, including Dante, and it is still the setting for the feast of St John on 24 June.

Things to do at Baptistery of St John: 7 missions

• See the mosaic ceiling of the baptisteryLook at the magnificent mosaic ceiling of the baptistery.
• Take in the North Doors of the baptisteryAdmire the North Doors, whose design was decided through a competition held in 1401.
• See the Beheading of the BaptistAdmire the Beheading of the Baptist by Vincenzo Danti, above the south door.
• See the South Doors of the baptisteryLook at the South Doors, originally installed on the east side and moved to their current position in 1452.
• See the Baptism of Christ above the east doorLook at the Baptism of Christ above the east door, begun by Andrea Sansovino in 1505.
• Admire the Gates of ParadiseAdmire the Gates of Paradise, the name Michelangelo gave them, which still endures.
• Take in the Preaching of the Baptist above the north doorAdmire above the north door the Preaching of the Baptist by Francesco Rustici, strongly influenced by Leonardo da Vinci.

Near Baptistery of St John

Source: duomo.firenze.it