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Pulpit of Nicola Pisano
Signed and dated 1260, Nicola Pisano's pulpit is a masterpiece of Pisan Gothic sculpture and one of the defining moments of medieval Italian art. Located near the southern entrance of the Baptistry, it was Tuscany's first hexagonal pulpit, marking a decisive break with the Romanesque tradition of square and rectangular structures. Worth seeing when you visit Pisa's historic religious buildings.
Baptismal Font of Guido Bigarelli
Crafted in 1246 by Lombard sculptor Guido Bigarelli da Arogno, the baptismal font in Pisa's Baptistry is an exceptional work of medieval craftsmanship. The octagonal basin sits elevated on three tiers of white marble, originally designed for immersion baptisms. Four smaller pools adjacent to the main font were used for the baptism of infants. What to see: the intricate carved details and the elegant proportions that exemplify 13th-century Tuscan artistry.
Matroneum
The Matroneo is an elevated gallery running along the inner ambulatory of Pisa's Baptistry, reached by two spiral staircases built into the outer wall's thickness. Beneath a barrel vault and ringed by columns with curved mouldings, the gallery's architectural rhythm is marked by alternating bands of white and black marble. From this vantage point, visitors gain a privileged view overlooking the central space of the building, revealing the interior's harmonious proportions and intricate design work.
Presbytery Area
The presbytery of the Baptistry of San Giovanni in Pisa occupies the space behind the central baptismal font, reserved for the clergy during religious services. Enclosed by an ornate carved balustrade, it stands apart from the rest of the interior through its distinctive Cosmatesque floor—a striking arrangement of polychrome inlaid marbles featuring rosettes and geometric patterns. This carefully demarcated liturgical zone reflects the formal hierarchy of medieval religious ceremony.
Internal Truncated Cone Dome
The truncated conical dome is the Baptistry's most striking architectural feature, stemming directly from Diotisalvi's original 12th-century design. Pyramidal in form, it covers only the inner ring of pilasters and remains simply rendered, without decorative frescoes. It sits hidden from the outside by the Gothic hemispherical dome later added by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano, which serves as a tiburio.
Main Portal
The main portal of the Baptistry of San Giovanni faces the cathedral façade and serves as the monumental entrance to the building. Flanked by two reused columns, it is framed by jambs adorned with sculptural decoration. This impressive doorway exemplifies the Romanesque style characteristic of Pisa's religious architecture and remains a key architectural feature worth seeing when you visit the Piazza dei Miracoli complex.
- 1.Pulpit of Nicola Pisano
- 2.Baptismal Font of Guido Bigarelli
- 3.Matroneum
- 4.Presbytery Area
- 5.Internal Truncated Cone Dome
- 6.Main Portal
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