Photo of the week: Baptistery of St John in Pisa, Italy

This week’s travel photo is of the Baptistery of St John in Pisa, Italy. Located in Piazza dei Miracoli next to the Cathedral and the famous Leaning Tower, the baptistery was constructed between 1152 and 1363 and is the largest in Italy.

More about the Baptistery of St John

Also known as the Battistero di San Giovanni, construction of the Baptistery of St John began in 1152 under the architect Diotisalvi, and continued over two centuries, eventually reflecting a blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles. The baptistery was designed as part of the “Piazza dei Miracoli” (Square of Miracles), which also includes the Pisa Cathedral and the Leaning Tower, intended to symbolize the stages of Christian life: birth (baptistery), life (cathedral), and death (cemetery). The exterior features elegant white and gray marble, while the interior is comparatively simple, drawing focus to the large baptismal font at its centre and the remarkable acoustics that fill the space with sound. At 54 meters tall, it’s the largest baptistery in Italy and showcases exquisite carvings and sculptures, including a pulpit by Nicola Pisano, considered a masterpiece of medieval sculpture. The Baptistery of St. John remains a significant architectural and artistic landmark, symbolizing Pisa’s medieval prestige and religious devotion.