Attractions in Pisa, Italy IT
Battistero (Baptistery)
Address:
Piazza del Duomo
Pisa
Italy
Tel: +39 (0)50 560 547
Pisa's striking circular Battistero (Baptistery) is the largest of its kind in the whole of Italy, with a circumference of 104 metres / 348 feet.Located close to the Pisa Duomo, construction of the Battistero began in 1153 by Deotisalvi, who was responsible for giving the building its famous lower Romanesque-style drum. Over 100 years later, Pisa's Battistero (Baptistery) was further developed and the upper part was created in a rather Gothic style, with a large dome being added shortly after.
The vast interior of Pisa's Battistero (Baptistery) is fairly plain and contains one of the first great Pisano pulpits, sculpted by Nicola Pisano in 1260. Many of the original statues and decorative pieces are now housed in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo and some have been replaced by casts.
One of the main attractions in Pisa's Battistero (Baptistery) are the simply astonishing acoustics, which echo around the interior. To enjoy these wonderful acoustics it is worth arriving early in the morning, before the Battistero becomes too busy and noisy. Stairs are available to the upper gallery and further stairs lead into the grand dome of the Pisa's Battistero itself.
Open: April to September - 08:00 to 19:40, March and October - 09:00 to 17:40, November to February - 09:00 to 16:40
Admission: charge