Baptistery of St. John - Florence, Italy
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The Baptistery of Saint John
The Baptistery of Saint John is a minor basilica. The octagonal baptistery stands in both the Piazza del Duomo and the Piazza San Giovanni, across from Florence Cathedral and the Campanile di Giotto.
It was once believed that the Baptistery was originally a Roman temple dedicated to Mars, the tutelary god of the old Florence. Excavations in the 20th century have shown that there was a 1st-century Roman wall running through the piazza with the Baptistery, which may have been built on the remains of a Roman guard tower on the corner of this wall, or possibly another Roman building including a 2nd century house which was restored in the late 4th or early 5th century. It was also discovered that an octagonal baptistery was erected there in the late 4th or early 5th century, and was replaced or altered with another early Christian baptistery in the 6th century.
The earlier baptistery was the city's second basilica after San Lorenzo, outside the northern city wall, and predates the church Santa Reparata. It was first recorded as such on March 4, 897, when the Count Palatine and envoy of the Holy Roman Emperor sat there to administer justice. The granite pilasters were taken from the Roman forum sited at the location of the present Piazza della Repubblica. At that time, the baptistery was surrounded by a cemetery with Roman sarcophagi, used by important Florentine families as tombs (now in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo).
The present, much bigger Baptistery was built in Romanesque style around 1059, evidence of the growing economic and political importance of Florence. It was reconsecrated on November 6, 1059 by Pope Nicholas II. According to legend, the marbles were brought from Fiesole, conquered by Florence in 1078. Other marble came from ancient structures. The construction was finished in 1128.
An octagonal lantern was added to the pavilion roof around 1150. It was enlarged with a rectangular entrance porch in 1202, leading into the original western entrance of the building, that in the 15th century became an apse.
Between the 14th and 16th centuries, three bronze double doors were added, with bronze and marble statues above them. This gives an indication that the Baptistery, at that time, was at least equal to the neighboring cathedral in importance.
Up to 1935, the Baptistery was the only place where Florentines were baptized.
TIP: Check to see if they are doing renovations before you go. Unfortunately, there was nothing to really see when @blackbeardsadventures and I were there. Also, women must be covered neck to ankle.
To learn more about Florence and/or plan your own trip: www.inspiruption.com/the-travel-lounge/florence
It was once believed that the Baptistery was originally a Roman temple dedicated to Mars, the tutelary god of the old Florence. Excavations in the 20th century have shown that there was a 1st-century Roman wall running through the piazza with the Baptistery, which may have been built on the remains of a Roman guard tower on the corner of this wall, or possibly another Roman building including a 2nd century house which was restored in the late 4th or early 5th century. It was also discovered that an octagonal baptistery was erected there in the late 4th or early 5th century, and was replaced or altered with another early Christian baptistery in the 6th century.
The earlier baptistery was the city's second basilica after San Lorenzo, outside the northern city wall, and predates the church Santa Reparata. It was first recorded as such on March 4, 897, when the Count Palatine and envoy of the Holy Roman Emperor sat there to administer justice. The granite pilasters were taken from the Roman forum sited at the location of the present Piazza della Repubblica. At that time, the baptistery was surrounded by a cemetery with Roman sarcophagi, used by important Florentine families as tombs (now in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo).
The present, much bigger Baptistery was built in Romanesque style around 1059, evidence of the growing economic and political importance of Florence. It was reconsecrated on November 6, 1059 by Pope Nicholas II. According to legend, the marbles were brought from Fiesole, conquered by Florence in 1078. Other marble came from ancient structures. The construction was finished in 1128.
An octagonal lantern was added to the pavilion roof around 1150. It was enlarged with a rectangular entrance porch in 1202, leading into the original western entrance of the building, that in the 15th century became an apse.
Between the 14th and 16th centuries, three bronze double doors were added, with bronze and marble statues above them. This gives an indication that the Baptistery, at that time, was at least equal to the neighboring cathedral in importance.
Up to 1935, the Baptistery was the only place where Florentines were baptized.
TIP: Check to see if they are doing renovations before you go. Unfortunately, there was nothing to really see when @blackbeardsadventures and I were there. Also, women must be covered neck to ankle.
To learn more about Florence and/or plan your own trip: www.inspiruption.com/the-travel-lounge/florence
11 ماه پیش
در تاریخ 1402/06/25 منتشر شده
است.
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