Battistero di San Giovanni (Baptistery of St. John), Florence

The exquisite Florence Baptisery, named after Saint John the Baptist, patron saint of the city, is situated in the Cathedral Square and San Giovanni Square, diagonally opposite the Duomo Cathedral. Constructed in the 7th century atop a Roman structure believed to have been a temple dedicated to Mars, it has an octagonal shape (common for baptisteries for many centuries since early Christian times), the number eight a symbol of regeneration in Christianity, representing the six days of creation, the day of rest, and the day of re-creation through the sacrament of baptism.

During its reconstruction in 1059, the baptistery was decorated with white and dark green marble, creating a striking zebra-like pattern, but is more known for its three sets of bronze doors. The south doors, designed by Andrea Pisano, depict scenes from the life of St. John and elegantly illustrate the eight virtues of Christianity in bronze. The north doors, crafted by Lorenzo Ghiberti, took him 21 years to complete and portray the life of Christ. Ghiberti was then commissioned to create the east door, which he worked on for an additional 27 years. Michelangelo famously dubbed them the "Gates of Paradise", and the ten panels on this door depict "the Story of Joseph."

Inside, visitors can admire magnificent mosaics adorning the ceiling and a baptismal font that has been in place since 1576, used for the baptism of the son of Francesco I de' Medici, the ruler of Florence. Aside from members of the Medici family, the structure is witness to the baptisms of many Renaissance-era personalities and almost all Catholic Florentines until the 19th century. Exploring this architectural marvel is, therefore, delving into the rich Catholic history of Florence.

***DANTE'S FLORENCE TOUR***
Dante was born to Alighiero di Bellincione d'Alighiero and his first wife, Gabriella degli Abati, who came from a wealthy landowning family. Their eldest son was born in May 1265 and was initially named Durante ("enduring"), after his maternal grandfather; however, his parents eventually chose to use the shortened form of the name. Evidence of his birthdate near the end of May is derived from Dante's own account in Canto 22 of the "Paradiso", where he references the sign of Gemini, suggesting that his intellectual and literary attributes are influenced by the constellation under which he was born. He also mentions the baptistery affectionately in another passage.

Tip:
Admission to the Baptistery is included with the standard ticket that covers the Duomo sights, excluding the cathedral itself (which is free), within a 72-hour period. A dress code must be observed, with no shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Both men and women should ensure their knees and shoulders are covered. To attend the daily mass, arrive at around 10:30am at the door opposite the main entrance and inform the attendant that you wish to attend the "mass" or "messa."