Baptistery of San Giovanni (Battistero di San Giovanni) description and photos - Italy: Siena (Topic)

Baptistero di San Giovanni description and photos - Italy: Siena. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Battistero di San Giovanni.

Photo and description

The Baptistery of San Giovanni is a religious building in Siena, located on the square of the same name near the city's Cathedral. The baptistery was built between 1316 and 1325 by the architect Camaino di Cressentino, the father of the Italian sculptor Tino di Camaino. The Gothic facade is unfinished at the top, as is the apse of the Cathedral.

Inside, in a rectangular room divided into a nave and side chapels by two rows of columns, there is a hexagonal font made of bronze, marble and enamel, made in 1417-1431 by the main sculptors of that time - the great Donatello (his hand belonged "Feast of Herod" and the statues of Faith and Hope), Lorenzo Ghierti, Giovanni di Turino, Goro di Nerocchio and Jacopo della Quercia (he sculpted a statue of John the Baptist and several other figures). In scenes depicting the life of John the Baptist, one can see his birth, the baptism of Christ, arrest, etc. On the sides are six figures: Faith and Hope in 1429 made by Donatello, Justice, Mercy and Providence by Giovanni di Turino, and Bravery - by Goro di Ser Nerocchio.

The marble ark on the font was designed by Jacopo della Quercia between 1427 and 1429. Five Magi in niches and a marble statuette of John the Baptist on top are also his creation. Bronze angels spread their wings around: two belong to Donatello's hand, three to Giovanni di Turino, and the sixth was made by an unknown master.

The frescoes that adorn the baptistery are by Vecchietta and his students. He also painted two paintings on the wall of the apse, depicting Self-flagellation and Walking in agony. In 1477, the vaults of the apse were also painted with frescoes by Michele di Matteo da Bologna.

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Topic: Baptistery of San Giovanni (Battistero di San Giovanni) description and photos - Italy: Siena.