Baptistery of St John and the Gates of Paradise next to Florence Cathedral
Just outside the doors of Florence Cathedral, across the Piazza del Duomo is the building believed to be the oldest in the city, the Baptistery of St John. Do not let the size of this Baptistery fool you. It belies the true greatness of what is inside and out. Not least the magnificent Gates of Paradise.
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Baptistery of St John
Its foundations date from the 4th century, but its current
octagonal form is mainly the result of reconstruction circa 1059. Its version
of the Last Judgment, created in glittering golden mosaic on the ceiling,
was added in the 13th century, and is arguably more breathtaking than the
larger Duomo version. There is usually a large group of tourists stood
right in front of the gates listening to tour guides and taking pictures.
It is
very difficult to get a clear shot with your camera of the building or
the gates. Just be persistent, your moment will present itself. |
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Gates of Paradise
The main attractions, however, without question, are Lorenzo Ghiberti's famous bronze Renaissance doors and their exquisite Biblical delineations. Best of all are the East Doors facing the Duomo, which earned their tag of the Gates of Paradise from Michelangelo. Each one of these panels depicts a story from the bible. |
Unfortunately, the ones that stand guard at the Baptistery today are just copies, but the originals are still viewable at the Duomo Works Museum across the square. The museum mainly serves to hold the sculptures removed from the Duomo, such as the "Prophets", which were made for the campanile and contributed to by Donatello. The repository also features the artist's polychromic wooden piece, The Magdalene (1453-55), and Michangelo's unfinished Pieta amongst its collection. |
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