Cremona Baptistery

Cremona, Italy

The Cremona Baptistery is annexed to the city's Cathedral. Built in 1167, it is characterized by an octagonal plan, a reference to the cult of St. Ambrose of Milan, symbolizing the Eight Day of Resurrection and, thenceforth, the Baptism. The edifice mixes Romanesque and Lombard-Gothic styles, the latter evident in the preference for bare brickwork walls. To the 16th century restorations belong the marble cover of some walls, the pavement and the baptismal font (1531) and the narthex (1588) of the entrance, in Romanesque style, work by Angelo Nani.

The interior has a 14th-century Crucifix, over the St. John altar, and two wooden statues portraying 'St. Philip Neri' and 'St. John the Baptist' by Giovanni Bertesi. Over the ceiling is a 12th-century statue of the Archangel Gabriel.

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Founded: 1167
Category: Religious sites in Italy

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

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4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Carolina Rovi (18 months ago)
In comparison with the Cathedral which is wonderful, the Baptistery dedicated to San Giovanni is more austere. Construction started in 1167 AD. it is 34 meters high and 20.5 meters. in diameter. It is also called the Romanesque Baptistery because it was built in the Romanesque style with an octagonal plan. There is an entrance fee that you can buy directly at the entrance to the square. Here you can appreciate the octagonal shape from the top of the tower. Enjoy your visit
pippo gs (2 years ago)
This square is always beautiful! Especially in the evening with a suggestive atmosphere, soft lighting and background music... When then everything is accompanied by lights that recite poems... An initiative that could be repeated, not only for Valentine's Day
Dinh Tuan (3 years ago)
Cremona is situated in Lombardy region and it's the capital of the province of Cremona. The city of Cremona is especially noted for its musical history and traditions, including some of the earliest and most renowned luthiers (as violin makers are called), such as Giuseppe Guarneri, Antonio Stradivari, Francesco Rugeri, Vincenzo Rugeri, and several members of the Amati family. The Baptistery of Cremona is a building that originated in 1167. A previous baptismal structure probably stood in the area of ​​the present presbytery of the Cathedral, in the center of two buildings, perhaps co-cathedrals. Built in a Romanesque (and Lombard-Gothic) style with the height of 34 meters, it's 20,5 meters in diameter with an octagonal design, as is often the case with baptismal buildings, signifying a particular symbolic reference to both “on the eighth day”, day of the Resurrection, day without a sunset, and to an ancient reference to the cross which can be perfectly inscribed in an octagon: a form, therefore, which alludes both to the Passion and to the Resurrection and in this way a connection is made between the Easter of the Lord and the life of the Christian through the sacramental sign of Baptism. The edifice mixes Romanesque and Lombard-Gothic styles, the latter evident in the preference for bare brickwork walls. To the 16th century restorations belong the marble cover of some walls, the pavement and the baptismal font (1531) and the narthex (1588) of the entrance, in Romanesque style, work by Angelo Nani. The interior has a 14th-century Crucifix, over the St. John altar, and two wooden statues portraying "St. Philip Neri" and "St. John the Baptist" by Giovanni Bertesi. Over the ceiling is a 12th-century statue of the Archangel Gabriel. More than 150 luthiers still live and work in Cremona. This town of 73,000 inhabitants is also the home to the Violin Museum and the School of Violin & Viola Makers. * Photos courtesy of Internet and Facebook. Thanks!
KK (3 years ago)
From the outside looks quite good
Elena S. (3 years ago)
It was not possible to enter to visit it, but nice
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