Download the app and start listening
GPS-guided audio guide while you walk.
Audio Guide Church of San Giovanni Battista
About this place
Practical information
Points included in this audio guide
Carrara Marble Rose Window
The rose window of white Carrara marble is the most striking feature of San Giovanni Battista church's façade and ranks among the oldest preserved Gothic elements of the building. What sets it apart is its remarkable condition—a striking contrast to the substantial alterations the rest of the façade has undergone over the centuries. It's well worth a visit to see this fine example of medieval craftsmanship in Riomaggiore.
Gothic Portals of the South Flank
The south side of the church features two original 14th-century Gothic doorways, accompanied by single-light windows. These are the building's oldest elements and display sculpted decoration in the pre-Romanesque tradition, combining animal and human figures of considerable iconographic significance. What to see here reflects the church's earliest architectural phases and mediaeval craftsmanship.
Pulpit with High Relief of 1530
Riomaggiore's pulpit ranks among the church's most distinctive features, primarily due to its striking marble high relief from 1530. The relief depicts a saint flanked by Saint Anne and another figure. Interestingly, the marble panel was incorporated into the pulpit structure in 1663, creating an ingenious blend of earlier sculptural work with a later architectural framework. It's a compelling example of artistic reuse and adaptation across centuries.
Preaching of Saint John the Baptist (Fiasella)
The Preaching of St John the Baptist, held within Riomaggiore's parish church, is attributed to Sarzana-born painter Domenico Fiasella. This oil painting ranks amongst the finest artistic works in the building, showcasing the masterful technique and religious devotion characteristic of Fiasella's oeuvre. It's worth seeing for anyone visiting the Cinque Terre churches.
Crucifix by Anton Maria Maragliano
The wooden crucifix in Riomaggiore's San Giovanni Battista church is attributed to Anton Maria Maragliano, a Genoese sculptor and one of Liguria's finest woodcarving masters of the 18th century. Maragliano transformed wooden sculpture with his baroque and pre-rococo style, leaving his mark on churches and oratories throughout the region. What to see here is a striking example of his craftsmanship and artistic vision during this pivotal period in Italian religious art.
18th-century wooden choir
Behind the high altar of Riomaggiore's church sits an 18th-century wooden choir, one of the interior's most notable features. Positioned within the presbytery, it's surrounded by late Baroque architectural elements that give the space its distinctive character. This piece exemplifies the craftsmanship of the period and merits close attention when you visit the church.
15th-century Sacristy Portal with Bas-relief
The sacristy portal at the Church of San Giovanni Battista in Riomaggiore, positioned to the left of the altar, is a finely crafted Gothic doorway. Its highlight is the 15th-century bas-relief crowning the entrance, depicting the Virgin Mary, Saint John the Baptist and Saint Francis. The ornamental stonework displays the skilled masonry typical of the period, making it a notable example of religious architectural detail worth viewing during your visit to this Cinque Terre village church.
Órgano Agati (1851)
The organ in the Church of San Giovanni Battista is a mechanical instrument built in 1851 by the Agati firm, a workshop from Pistoia. It ranks among the most valuable musical and historical features within the church interior. This nineteenth-century piece remains an important element of the building's heritage, showcasing the craftsmanship characteristic of the period.
- 1.Carrara Marble Rose Window
- 2.Gothic Portals of the South Flank
- 3.Pulpit with High Relief of 1530
- 4.Preaching of Saint John the Baptist (Fiasella)
- 5.Crucifix by Anton Maria Maragliano
- 6.18th-century wooden choir
- 7.15th-century Sacristy Portal with Bas-relief
- 8.Órgano Agati (1851)
Kids audio available
Kids version available with adapted and fun language for the little ones (19 min)
Prefer to discover on the go?
Buy photo credits and take a photo of any monument. Our AI will recognize it and you'll receive the audio guide instantly.
Share with your family
Share your audio guides with your family using a single access code.
Learn how it worksDownload Guipock and start exploring
Audio guides narrated while you walk. Available on the App Store.
