About
Built in its present form in Gothic style in the first half of the XIV c. on the site of the old “Paleochristian” and Baptismal church of Santa Maria and San Giovanni. The name “in corte” certifies the presence of a Curtis domini regis, the headquarters of the “gestaldo” in the Lombard period. During the building, which lasted from 1338 to 1360, the grave of Bishop Atto, who died in 1153, was found (he introduced the “Jacobean” cult in Pistoia). Even though Vasari claimed that Andrea Pisano had designed the baptistery there’s no sure proof about that. It is sure, however, that Cellino di Nese managed the operation: he’s responsible for the outside marble facing. The white marbles originate from Siena and Carrara; the green ones from Prato. The octagonal shaped building presents a pyramidal roofing completed by an elegant lantern. The cupola is covered with sheets of lead surrounded by an open gallery with marble balustrade enriched with spires and statuettes. In the lunette of the main door we can notice the sculptures of Madonna with Child between St. John the Baptist and St. Peter that are traditionally attributed to Nino and Tommaso, sons of Andrea Pisano. The architrave is divided in four bas-reliefs depicting stories of St. John’s life. The door-knockers of the central portal are a masterpiece of wood-cutting and are the work of Pier Francesco Ventura (1523). Inside, the baptismal font can be seen, carved by Lanfranco da Como in 1226. During the Baroque period, this was included in a structure surmounted by the marble statue of St. John the Baptist, a work by Andrea Vacca, now on view in the Baptistery.
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88monique
Milan, Italy11,645 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
The construction of this building in its current octagonal forms began in 1301 on the site of the ancient church of Santa Maria in corte, of which it remembers the name. It is considered one of the greatest expressions of Tuscan Gothic as it brings together Florentine, Sienese and Pisan elements. Elegant exterior covered with white and green marble from Siena, Prato and Carrara and interesting three portals decorated with bas-reliefs and carved marble capitals. The main portal is the most interesting as the most richly decorated and surmounted by a central perforated rose window. The interior, which today houses the ticket office, is unfortunately bare. Only the baptismal font covered with marble plutes, by Lanfranco da Como, dated 1226, the only remaining element of the ancient building, is noted.
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Written 30 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MFaro
Italy2,723 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
The Baptistery of San Giovanni in Corte is among the points of interest that I most appreciated in Pistoia. Located next to the Cathedral and its bell tower, it is recognizable for its octagonal plan and the colors of the stone with which it was built. The internal baptismal font is beautiful.
Written 26 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael H
Norwich247 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
The octagonal Baptistery dedicated to Saint Giovanni in Corte is a remarkable building with its white and green striped horizontal banding in marble. Constructed in a Gothic style it’s equally impressive as the Duomo which stands opposite in the corner of a relatively small piazza in central Pistoia. Once inside the incredible baptismal font rightly stands centre stage. The magnificently detailed, carved floral panels on each side of the font were sculpted in 1226 by Lanfranco da Como and are well worth close inspection. Nearly 800 years on and they remain stunningly beautiful.
Written 3 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GloriaAnchio
Philadelphia, PA176 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
The baptistery in Florence may be famous for its doors, but the Pistoia baptistery has a more beautiful exterior and it is unique in having a exterior preaching area.
Written 10 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
joopb
Leidschendam, The Netherlands819 contributions
Sept 2020 • Friends
The outside is beautiful. It has a majestic look. The inside is a contradiction to the outside yet the in and out match perfectly.
Written 5 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shikha M
Easton, MA151 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
We stood in line to enter inspite of our Firenze card
The baptistery didn’t allow my teenage daughter to go in because of her not wearing a shoulder covering shirt
The dome inside had a beautiful fresco
But overall not so good
The baptistery didn’t allow my teenage daughter to go in because of her not wearing a shoulder covering shirt
The dome inside had a beautiful fresco
But overall not so good
Written 29 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Curiosity
London, UK121 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
We were lucky enough to stop by to see this stunning Romanesque style building. The exterior is cladded with white Carara marble and green Prato marble decorated with geometric panels and arches.
The interior dome ceiling decorated in gold mosaic was my favourite. The large semicircular dome was decorated with images of Christ, The Virgin Mary, Angels etc.
There was no queue at all. Tickets to go inside alone is 5eurose but. But as we had already purchased tickets for Florence's Cathedral, we were able to get in with those tickets.
The interior dome ceiling decorated in gold mosaic was my favourite. The large semicircular dome was decorated with images of Christ, The Virgin Mary, Angels etc.
There was no queue at all. Tickets to go inside alone is 5eurose but. But as we had already purchased tickets for Florence's Cathedral, we were able to get in with those tickets.
Written 16 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
traveltastic_no1
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK152 contributions
Aug 2013 • Friends
Pistoia's Baptistery is sited opposite the Cathedral and is a significant attraction in its own right. The most notable feature is the exterior clad in fine marble. The interior is plain but features an interesting font. It is worth having a look in since it lacks the crowds of Pisa's Baptistery and it is also free.
A visit can be combined with the courtyard of the Praetorian Palace adjacent. There are some historic murals to see, and the space is also used to house temporary art exhibitions.
A visit can be combined with the courtyard of the Praetorian Palace adjacent. There are some historic murals to see, and the space is also used to house temporary art exhibitions.
Written 24 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
igrnz
Wellington, New Zealand72 contributions
Sept 2019
We weren't sure what this was but it was standing there in the piazza looking amazing. Inside is stunning and the famous doors are wonderful. Check it out, it is worth visiting.
Written 25 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LadureeFan
Richmond, VA1,345 contributions
Oct 2019
We had a skip the line tickets for Brunelleschi's Dome which allowed us entrance to the Baptistry so we went. Not as impressive as other structures we visited....but glad we saw it. The doors are impressive so if you don't go inside, at least take a look at the doors.
Written 25 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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