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Home > Italy Travel Guide > Siena Travel Guide > Battistero di San Giovanni

Battistero di San Giovanni

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Introduction
History
Location

ATTRACTIONS

Whats to see

INFORMATION

Useful information
Links

Introduction

Battistero di San Giovanni called also Pieve di San Giovanni is certainly worth a visit, located on the side of the Duomo down the stairs, it houses some of the very finest works of art in Siena.

History

Although the Baptistery's precise origins remain unclear, its foundations are known to date back to Roman times. It is thought that it dates back to the first half of the 14th century though the oldest section of the building was begun at least 50 years earlier. It was built sometime between 1316 and 1325 and the marble facade was made between 1317 and 1382.

Location

Address: Piazza San Giovanni, Siena 53100 Italy.

Whats to see

Its purely Gothic facade entirely built with marble was begun in 1317 and continued on until 1382; the upper section of the facade was left unfinished. It occupies a large space beneath the last two bays of the extended choir of the Cathedral and its interior is rectangular in plan, divided into three aisles by two robust pillars. The ceiling is covered with frescoes of the XV century, by Vecchietta, Benvenuto di Giovanni, Pietro di Francesco degli Orioli and Michele di Matteo. In the center of the Baptistry the christening font is placed, the greatest art treasure of the Battistero, made from golden panels that show the life of John the Baptist. A masterpiece of the Early Renaissance (1411-30) the design of which is is attributed to Iacopo della Quercia, with bronze reliefs and sculptures by Ghiberti. The babtistery also contains some excellent works by Donatello, including Herod's Feast and statues representing Hope and Charity. There are eight frescoes by Pinturicchio, commissioned by Alberto Aringhieri, and painted between 1504 and 1505. Two are repainted in the 17th c. and a third was completely replaced in 1868. The original paintings in the chapel are: Nativity of John the Baptist, John the Baptist in the desert and John the Baptist preaching. He also painted two portraits: Aringhieri with the cloak of the Order of the Knights of Malta and Kneeling Knight in Armour.

Useful information

Telephone: (0577) 283 048.
Open: November-March : 09:00am to 13:30pm.
March-September 09:00am to 19:30pm.
October: 09:00am to 18:00pm.
Closed: Christmas and New Year.

Links

Offical website

Comune di Siena

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