THE BAPTISTERY OF Dome in Florence

The oldest building in the Duomo square in Florence is the Baptistery of St Giovanni, for centuries believed to have been a pagan temple, converted to Christian use. Beginning in the mid 11th century, the Baptistery has an octagonal form thus express the Christian hope for a resurrection of the dead a message delivered when the building was still surronded by a cemetery. It was enriched with marbles, and rich paintings on the walls and on the ceiling.From outside the oldest doors are the one on the south side, depicting the life of John the Baptist, patron saint in Florence. Next are the north doors executed by Lorenzo Ghiberti between 1402 and 1425, depicting the life of Christ. To the east there are THE GATES OF PARADISE, with scenes of the old Testament. Inside looking up from the front, mosaics with the giant figure of Christ and under the Last Judgement.