Introduction to the Baptistery of San Giovanni: The Baptistery of San Giovanni is located a few meters west of the Cathedral. It was built in the 7th century AD and was converted into the current octagonal marble Romanesque building between the 11th and 12th centuries. Children in Florence were baptized here, including celebrities such as Dante and Machiavelli.
The baptistery is 27.5 meters in diameter, covered with a dome inside and about 31 meters high. There are three bronze doors outside the church, with bronze reliefs of stories from the Old Testament engraved on the doors, two of which are by Ghiberti. ), which took 28 years to complete and was called "The Gate of Paradise" by Michelangelo. The original relief is now in the cathedral's museum, and the one displayed on the door is a replica.