Pisa - Baptistry

The construction of the "Battistero di San Giovanni" started in 1152 to replace an older baptistry. Since its completion in 1363 the transition from (Pisan) Romanesque to (Pisan) Gothic style was visible.

The baptistry was designed by Diotisalvi, who signed and dated the building ("1153"), similar to the "Chiesa del Santo Sepolcro" (previous uploads), he had designed some decades before.

The baptistry is about 54 m high, with a circumference of 107 m.

Standing on the surrounding gallery offers a brilliant view onto the many Romanesque carvings.
Different workshops carved the capitals. While the previous seen hunting scenes were a little "rough" but story telling, the mythical creatures and heads here are elegant, but seem to be "frozen".