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Battistero di San Giovanni: A Masterpiece of Romanesque Architecture

Discover Pisa's ancient Baptistery of San Giovanni, a Romanesque masterpiece in Piazza del Duomo, showcasing stunning architecture and rich history.

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The Battistero di San Giovanni, standing proudly in Pisa's Piazza del Duomo, is an 11th-century Romanesque baptistery renowned for its distinctive octagonal shape and striking white-and-green marble facade. As the oldest religious building on the square, it holds significant historical and artistic importance.

A brief summary to Battistero di San Giovanni

  • Piazza del Duomo, 23, Pisa, Province of Pisa, 56126, IT
  • Visit website
  • Monday 9 am-8 pm
  • Tuesday 9 am-8 pm
  • Wednesday 9 am-8 pm
  • Thursday 9 am-8 pm
  • Friday 9 am-8 pm
  • Saturday 9 am-8 pm
  • Sunday 9 am-8 pm

Local tips

  • Purchase tickets online in advance to avoid potential queues, especially during peak season.
  • Note that the mosaics on the vault are currently under restoration and may not be fully visible.
  • Combine your visit with other attractions in Piazza del Duomo, such as the Leaning Tower and the Cathedral.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From Pisa Centrale train station, walk north along Corso Italia, then turn right onto Via Luigi Bianchi. Continue onto Piazza Daniele Manin, then turn left onto Via Santa Maria. The Piazza del Duomo will be on your right. The Baptistery is located in the Piazza del Duomo, approximately a 20-25 minute walk from the Pisa Centrale train station.

  • Public Transport

    From Pisa Airport, take the PisaMover train to Pisa Centrale station (€5). From there, you can take a bus. Bus lines 6, 11, 14, 23, C1, and C2 will take you close to Piazza del Duomo. Get off at a nearby stop and walk a few minutes to the Baptistery. A single bus ticket costs around €1.50.

  • Taxi

    From Pisa Airport, a taxi to Piazza del Duomo typically takes 10-15 minutes and costs around €12-15. Taxis are readily available outside the airport. From Pisa Centrale train station, a taxi to the Baptistery will cost approximately €10-12 and take around 5-10 minutes.

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Discover more about Battistero di San Giovanni

The Battistero di San Giovanni, located in Pisa's Piazza del Duomo, is a captivating testament to Romanesque architecture and Pisan history. Consecrated in 1059 by Pope Nicholas II, it stands as the oldest religious structure in the Piazza del Duomo. The baptistery's origins may trace back to an earlier 4th-century structure. For centuries, it was even believed to have been built upon the site of a pagan temple dedicated to the god Mars. The baptistery's most striking feature is its octagonal shape, a design choice common for baptisteries since the early Christian era. This shape symbolizes regeneration and new beginnings, central to the sacrament of baptism. The exterior is clad in alternating bands of white and green marble, a characteristic element of Pisan Romanesque architecture that creates a visually stunning effect. Three portals and twenty-four windows punctuate the walls, allowing light to filter into the interior. Inside, the baptistery is a harmonious space. Ancient columns support the structure, while a women's gallery, or matroneum, graces the second level. The floor features magnificent marble "carpets" crafted by Tuscan artists in the early 1200s, drawing inspiration from Middle Eastern textiles traded by the Merchants Guild. The octagonal dome is adorned with Byzantine mosaics created in the 13th and 14th centuries. These mosaics depict biblical scenes, including a large figure of Christ the Judge presiding over Paradise and Hell. Today, the Battistero di San Giovanni remains a significant cultural and religious landmark in Pisa. While undergoing restoration, visitors can still appreciate its architectural grandeur and historical importance.

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