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The Baptistery of St. John, Florence

4.6

#9 of 113 in Historic Sites in Florence

Religious Site Architectural Building

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The Baptistery of St. John is one of the oldest buildings in the city, constructed between 1059 and 1128. It's renowned for the three sets of bronze doors. Observe how the eight lower panels of the south doors depict the virtues of hope, faith, charity, humility, fortitude, temperance, justice, and prudence. The most famous set, the east doors, are a copy; the originals are being preserved in the Duomo's museum. You still get a sense of their importance and you can admire the depiction of "The Story of Joseph." Inside the baptistery, be sure to look up at the domed, mosaic ceiling. Use our Florence holiday maker to add The Baptistery of St. John and other attractions to your Florence vacation plans.

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The Baptistery of St. John Reviews

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TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

4,389 reviews

Google

4.7

facebook

4.8

462 likes

• By GanL

  This octagonal baptistery stands across from Duomo and the Campanile. It is one of the oldest buildings in Florence. Members of the Medici family were baptized here. The Baptistery has 8 sides with a....  more »

• By savedade

  The doors get the fame at the site. The original doors are now in thee Uffizi; the replicas are lovely. The building sits on the square next to the camponile and duomo.  more »

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Google

• By Maria Stiebert

  It’s a hexagonal building. It’s beautifully pained all over the sealing. The big Jesus sitting on a throne welcomes you warmly. The paintings are beautiful and well described in the pamphlets distributed there. The good thing is, you can buy a combined ticket for Dome, Copula, the bell tower and the baptistery. It’s all worth it. It’s a very peaceful place to sit and get amazed.

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• By Spyridon Kakouris

  Its' very beautiful indeed, but it;s just a small building (it will take you around 10 minutes to see it all?) and the three of its impressive doors are in the museum next door anyway.

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