How to visit the Florence Baptistery and see the Gates of Paradise

When in your tourist trip to Florence you arrive at the Duomo Square, in front of the imposing cathedral building known as the Duomo, you will also find yourself in front of an octagonal building.

This is the Baptistery of Saint John, which originally has no connection with the cathedral, and is also the oldest building in the Florence city.

The origins of Baptistery of Saint John They date back to Roman times, although it seems that the first octagonal building used as a baptistery was built between the 5th and 6th centuries, on the remains of the Roman walls.

It was at the beginning of the 12th century when the current octagonal building of the Baptistery of Saint John, which was built in marble and with a Roman architectural style.

La lamp that crowns the baptistery building was located in the year 1150.

How to see the Gates of Paradise in Florence

The highlights from the artistic point of view of the Baptistery of Saint John they are the big ones bronze doors which are located on the south, north and east facades.

In order to create these artistic works, competitions were held in which the most famous sculptors of the time participated, such as Donatello, Brunelleschi y Lorenzo Ghiberti.

Curiosities history Gates of Paradise in Florence

The first ones to be built occupy the current south gate.

Andrea Pisano placeholder image He began to build them in 1329 and it took six years to finish the 28 panels with images of the life of San Juan Bautista.

The next doors to be built were those of the North side, and went Lorenzo Ghiberti who dedicated 21 years to finish it.

This large bronze door made at the beginning of the 15th century, it shows scenes of the New Testament.

But the most famous and notable doors of the Baptistery of Saint John of Florence They are those on the east façade, the so-called Gates of Paradise which were built by Ghiberti from 1425.

Finishing the assignment took him... 27 years!!, and they show scenes from the Old Testament.

After its completion he was himself Miguel Angel who, given their great beauty and careful elaboration, called them Gates of Paradise, name as they have been known since then.

The ones you see today in front of the spectacular Duomo facade They are a bronze copy of the originals, which were removed in 1990 to protect them from deterioration.

Therefore, currently there is no possibility of seeing the original doors.

What to see when visiting the Baptistery of San Juan in Florence

When you access the interior of the Baptistery of Saint John, you will find yourself in a large area where darkness prevails, since the light that enters through the windows on the upper level and the small lantern on the ceiling is very scarce.

With some resemblance to Roman pantheon in Rome, what will catch your attention the most is the interior decoration of the vault.

In it you will see a impressive mosaic with themes related to Final judgment, which was made by Venetian artists between the 13th and 14th centuries.

Likewise, inside the Baptistery of Saint John highlights the great tomb of Baltasar Cossa, who in the 15th century was known as the Antipope John XXIII.

When you leave visit the Baptistery of Saint John in Florence, you will have been in the place where until the 19th century all the Catholics of Florence were baptized, as was the case of Dante Alighieri or Medici family.

Visiting times for the Baptistery of San Juan de Florencia

El schedule to visit the Baptistery of San Juan It is from Monday to Sunday, from 9,15:17,45 a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.

El price of admission It is 10 euros, and you can also visit the Duomo Opera Museum.

Keep in mind that the first Tuesday of every month you have a reduced price of 5 euros.