The Baptistery (officially Battistero di San Giovanni) is the round building in the Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa. Completed in the 14th century, it is famous for the decorations by the Pisani family. Its height of 55 metres makes it the tallest baptistery in Italy.
Baptistery of San Giovanni Pisa, a brief history
Although construction of the Baptistery began in 1152, it was not completed until more than two centuries later.
The architect who oversaw the first phase of its construction, up to the top of the arches on the first level, was called Diotisalvi. (Were this man born in an English speaking country, his surname would have been “MayGodSaveYou”). The first level is Romanesque, in line with the bottom part of the Duomo.
Guidetto (early 13th century) was responsible for the ornaments at the entrance and on the walls, as well as for the roof of the circular nave.
In 1260 Nicola Pisano constructed the second level, at the same time sculpting the pulpit inside. His son Giovanni Pisano then added the top row of tympanums.
After this, work was interrupted and it was not until the 14th century that the matronum and the roof were added.
Several sculptures and other elements that were in danger of being damaged by the weather conditions are now in the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo.
What to see
The Baptistery has a round floor plan. The exterior is characterized by large blind arches separated by pillars. Each arch has a central monopho monophore. There are four entrance doors. The top part consists of a row of round arches crowned with tympanums. The colors are white and grey, in line with those of the other main buildings in the square.
Some of the sculptures under the tympanums can now be seen in the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. The arches are decorated with protomes by Nicola Pisano himself. Giovanni was responsible for most of the sculptures.
The gilded bronze statue on the dome represents San Giovanni and was made between 1393 and 1396 by Turino di Sano.
The entrance opposite the Cathedral was decorated with Greek-Byzantine sculptures between 1203 and 1204. The frame of the main door is decorated with sculpted representations of the months on the left and on the right Christ, Mary, angels and apostles. The statue of the Madonna is a copy of the original, which was sculpted by Nicola Pisani in 1304.
Interior
The interior has a diameter of 35,50m. The central part is separated from an outer hallway by 8 columns and 4 pillars with 13th century capitols. On two columns inside the baptistery there are inscriptions with the name of the original architect Diotisalvi.
The octagonal baptismal font is placed in the center. It was made in 1246 by Guido Bigarelli. The central statue is modern.
The altar is decorated with inlay work.
The gates, made by the workshop of Guglielmo and Rainaldo and restored in the 19th century, were originally meant for the presbytery of the cathedral.
The hexagonal pulpit made by Nicola Pisano (1259-1260) is decorated with images of events in the life of Christ and with symbols of the various virtues. It rests on 7 columns, three of which are supported by lion sculptures an done by anthropomorphic figures. The panels are decorated with Biblical scenes: The Nativity, the Assumption, the Angel visiting the Shepherds, the Adoration of three Kings, the Presentation at the Temple, the Crucifixion and the Last Judgment.
Ask at the entrance how to get to the second level, because this is not directly obvious. Once upstairs you not only have a view over the interior of the Baptistery itself, but also a direct view of the facade of the Duomo.
Address, opening hours and admission
The address of the Battistero di San Giovanni is Piazza del Duomo – Pisa. Bus: 3, A. Opening hours: November to February from 10.00 to 16.30; March to October from 09.00 to 18.30; April to September from 08.00 to 20.00 hours. Closed: 1 January, 25 December. Entrance fee: 5 Euro.
Baptistery – Piazza del Duomo, Pisa
Bibliography
Luca Bertini, Pisa itinerari, guida alla visita della città .
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