Baptistery
Guided tour of the Padua Baptistery
The Cathedral Baptistery is located next to the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. Its construction began in the 12th century, but the building took on its current appearance in the second half of the 14th century, when it was transformed into the mausoleum of the Da Carrara family, lords of Padua.
The transformation was commissioned by Fina Buzzacarini, widow of Francesco il Vecchio da Carrara, as a celebratory monument to the Carrarese dynasty.
The fresco cycle by Giusto de’ Menabuoi
Between 1375 and 1378, the Florentine-born painter Giusto de’ Menabuoi, court artist to the Carraresi, was commissioned to create one of the most extraordinary pictorial cycles of the European 14th century.
In approximately 200 working days, the artist decorated over 700 square meters of frescoed surfaces, depicting a monumental narrative of Sacred History, from Genesis to Revelation.
Giusto’s style is distinguished by:
- formal elegance
- chromatic richness
- skillful use of space
- personal reinterpretation of the Giotto-esque tradition
The dome: the Carrarese Paradise
The absolute highlight of the visit is the dome, which houses one of the most impressive representations of Paradise from the Middle Ages:
- at the center, the figure of Christ Pantocrator dominates
- around Him, the angelic choirs are arranged in perfect concentric circles
- 108 figures of Saints and Blessed souls are depicted, many of whom are linked to the religious and civil history of Padua
The iconographic layout, based on a rigorous celestial geometry, visually expresses the medieval idea of divine order and cosmic rationality.
Useful information for your visit
- Opening: daily
- Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Type: cultural and artistic tour with a licensed tour guide
Why choose Veneto TourGuide for the guided tour of the Baptistery
- Customized itineraries
- Continuous training for guides
- Reliability and concreteness
- A single contact for all of Veneto
Choose the experience and professionalism of our guides.
Contact us now for a quote or book online your guided tour of the Padua Baptistery.