Baptistery of San Giovanni in Siena
The Baptistery of St John in Siena Houses masterpieces including the Baptismal Font and fifteenth-century frescos by Vecchietta.
Information
Opening hours
Cathedral, Piccolomini Library, Museum, Panorama and “Duomo Nuovo”, Crypt, Baptistry, Beneath the Cathedral, Gate of Heaven
1 March – 31 October: 10:30 am – 7:00 pm
Sundays, public holidays: 1:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Eve of public holidays: 10:30 am – 6:00 pm
1 November – 28 February (but not 26 December – 8 January): 10:30 am – 5:30 pm
Sundays, public holidays: 1:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Sundays, public holidays: 1:30 pm – 5:30 pm
26 December – 6 January: 10:30 am – 6:00 pm
Sundays, public holidays: 1:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Sundays, public holidays: 1:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Uncovering Floor Period Cathedral:
Sundays, public holidays: 9:30 am – 6 pm
Porta del Cielo:
Open from 1 March to 7 January.
The schedules follow those of the Cathedral
The Baptistery of St John lies in the Piazza San Giovanni, close to the base of the apse of the Duomo (Cathedral). It was built between 1316 and 1325. The façade, which remains unfinished, dates from the second half of the fourteenth century, and the interior was decorated during the fifteenth century with important pictures and sculptures.
The most interesting work preserved in the Baptistery is the Baptismal Font, dating from the first Tuscan Renaissance and designed by Jacopo della Quercia. The hexagonal font is decorated with bronze panels showing scenes from the life of St John the Baptist by Jacopo della Quercia, Donatello, Giovanni di Turino, Turino di Sano and Lorenzo Ghiberti, interspersed with statues of the virtues: Hope and Faith are by Donatello while the others are attributed to Goro di Neroccio and Giovanni di Turino.
The tabernacle is decorated with four musical angels in bronze by Donatello and Giovanni di Turino, surmounted by a statuette of St John the Baptist and decorated with bas-reliefs by Jacopo della Quercia. Among the other artworks in the Baptistery, the most important are the statues from the school of Giovanni Pisano, the frescos by Vecchietta and the triptych with the Madonna, saints and scenes from the life of St Stephen by Andrea Vanni.