The Baptistery of Siena

The Baptistery is situated just at the back of the Cathedral. From 1325 it compete with the Cathedral for the role of the most important religious building in Siena. Under its ogival arch all the Siena’s city dwellers have been baptised. On the nave and the two aisles you can find the frescos by Benvenuto di Giovanni ( “The miracles of Saint Anthony of Padova” – 1460) Pietro degli Orioli (“The washing of the feet”) and Lorenzo di Pietro known as “il Vecchietta” (he made the frescos on the vault that represent “the articles of Faith”, 1447 – 1450). But the protagonist of the baptistery is the baptismal font made of bronze and marble and situated in the centre of the church. It has been created by the great artists of that period: Jacopo della Quercia, Giovanni di Turino, Lorenzo Ghiberti and Donatello. The latter realized two of the six bronzed angels which decorate the canopy.

When: from 01/03 to 31/05: 9,30 am – 7 pm
From 01/06 to 31/08: 9,30 am – 8 pm
From 01/09 to 01/11: 9,30 am – 7 pm
From 02/11 to 28/02: 10 am – 5 pm
Never: 1st January, 25th December
Tickets: 3 €