Baptistry of St John - Interior

The sombre, mystical nature of the dim interior of the Baptistry comes as something of a surprise after the clearcut articulation of the exterior. It is dominated by the octagonal dome (diameter 25.6m/84ft) which is completely lined with mosaics, the work of Florentine artists (Jacopo da Torrita, Cimabue, Andrea di Riccio, Gaddo Gaddi) in the 13th century or possibly about 1300 and therefore at the time of Dante. One of the greatest mosaics in the Western world, it is as outstanding for its treatment of its subject matter as for the richness of its ornamentation.

Above the choir chapel is the gigantic figure of Christ - the face alone measures 8m/26ft - as Judge of the World at the Last Judgment. Grouped around him, in different sections, are the figures of the Resurrected and the Damned, of angels, apostles, prophets and saints, with Mary and John the Baptist ranged against the realm of the Devil, devourer of men. (It is worth remembering that Dante, Italy's greatest poet, who described Heaven, Purgatory and Hell in his "Divine Comedy", hailed from Florence.) Other vivid mosaics depict the Creation, scenes from the life of Joseph and the lives of Jesus Christ, Mary and John the Baptist. Also of interest are one of Donatello's masterpieces, the tomb of the Antipope John XXIII (deposed by the Council of Constance), and the niello decoration of the marble floor (zodiac and metallic ornamentation), the marble font, the sarcophagus of Bishop Ranieri and the high altar with a candlestick in the form of an angel.

Another of Donatello's masterpieces used to stand in the Baptisty - his wooden statue of Mary Magdalene - but this is now in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.