Baptistery (Padua)
The Baptistry in Padua is the Baptistery of the Cathedral of Padua . The first building was built at the end of the 12th century; The baptistery was built in its current form from 1260 to its consecration in 1281. The completely preserved fresco cycle by Giusto de 'Menabuoi from 1375 to 1378 is unique .
construction
The baptistery consists of a cube-shaped substructure and a rotunda with a flat dome. The flat closed apse , which in turn bears a small dome , faces east, towards the cathedral square . Several rows of arched friezes with pilaster strips structure the wall surfaces.
Frescoes
The Menabuoi frescoes, one of the most important and best-preserved painting cycles of the 14th century, were commissioned by Podestà Francesco I da Carrara and his wife Fina Buzzaccarini . The hundred or so image fields cover all the wall surfaces and the dome. Illustrated are scenes from the Gospel , the first and last books of the Bible, and the life of John the Baptist , the patron of all Baptisteries. The dome fresco shows Christ as Pantocrator , surrounded by the multitudes of angels and perfected ones.
Web links
- official page
- History and description (padovanet.it, Italian)
Coordinates: 45 ° 24 ′ 24.5 ″ N , 11 ° 52 ′ 18.6 ″ E