Baptistery of St. John

The Battistero di San Giovanni is one of the oldest buildings in Florence. It is an architectural wonder which apparently took its inspiration from the Pantheon. Even though there is currently restoration work underway, it is well worth visiting. Beautiful mosaics and bronze doors including the stunning Gates of Paradise.

Beautiful chapel to St. John located right across the street from the Duomo in Florence. Part of our guided tour, I enjoyed the rich history of this building pointed out by the guide, including the Roman burial area underneath the floor

Baptistery of St. John standing in front of the Cathedral of Florence and its famous for its ceiling mosaics. These are now in restauration process so cannot be seen, but anyway, if you buy a Brunelleschi pass, you can visit the Baptistery of St. John too, together with Dome and Campanille. One can only admire the only restored part of the mosaics above the altar, which is quite impressive. All together, now it's a 15 min short visit only.

Florence’s Baptistery of Saint John, located directly across from the Cathedral, is one of the city’s oldest buildings, with roots going back to the 4th or 5th century. It is perhaps best known for its stunning bronze doors—especially the “Gates of Paradise” by Lorenzo Ghiberti. Although the interior was under partial renovation during my visit, the space remains deeply atmospheric and visually captivating. The mosaics on the ceiling and the geometry of the structure create a sacred and timeless ambiance. Unlike other nearby attractions, there was virtually no wait, making the experience peaceful and unhurried. Historically, this is where many famous Florentines—including Dante Alighieri—were baptized. Even amidst restoration work, the Baptistery offers a unique and meaningful visit. It’s a quieter treasure in the heart of Florence that definitely deserves attention.

The baptistery is one of the oldest buildings in Florence, dedicated to the city’s patron saint, John the Baptist. While its exact origins remain uncertain, some scholars believe it may have been built atop a Roman structure dating back to the 4th century. The current building was consecrated in 1059 by Pope Nicholas II and officially became Florence’s baptistery in 1128. The structure is a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture, with its exterior clad in white Carrara and green Prato marble, arranged in three horizontal bands. The baptistery is especially famous for its three bronze doors: the south doors by Andrea Pisano, and the north and east doors by Lorenzo Ghiberti—the latter famously dubbed the Gates of Paradise. Inside, the golden mosaic ceiling, created between the late 13th and early 14th centuries, is absolutely stunning. Note: Backpacks are not allowed inside, so plan accordingly. ※ Included in the Brunelleschi, Giotto, and Ghiberti Passes.

Beautiful place with great artefacts and paintings of historical value

The Gates of Paradise at the Baptistery are truly breathtaking – the intricate details and craftsmanship are stunning. A masterpiece of art that’s definitely worth seeing in person. Highly recommended for anyone interested in history and art!

The Baptistry is the most plain and simple on the outside of all the buildings to see around the Cathedral. The inside is also fairly plain and the real attraction is in the incredible mosaic ceiling. Unfortunately while we were there, only a tiny portion off to the side was visible, with the main portion all covered over with sheeting and a huge big scaffold right up the centre. It's great that they are restoring and keeping the maintenance of these natural treasure up to date, just bad timing it was when we only had 3 days on Florence. The beautiful marble and stone patterned floors are exquisite. Still well worth a visit.