The Baptistery of St John the Baptist (Battistero di San Giovanni) in Florence stands directly opposite the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. You’ll recognise this octagonal building by its white and green marble and bronze doors. It was here that Dante Alighieri was baptised.

Before buying a ticket, it is worth noting that the famous ceiling mosaics depicting the Last Judgement are currently covered.

Their long-term restoration is scheduled to last until 2028. The Baptistery remains open to the public, but you will not be able to see its most famous decorations during a standard visit.

Is it worth going inside? Especially if you also want to visit the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. This is included in the same ticket, and there you’ll see the originals of all three bronze doors. The doors on the Baptistery are now replicas.

Find the cheapest hotel in Florence

You’ll find a similar chapel used for baptisms, bearing the same name, in nearby Pisa.

Admission: which pass should you buy?

Separate tickets for the baptistery are not sold. You can choose from three passes:

• Ghiberti Pass – 15 eur: the Baptistery, the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo and the Santa Reparata archaeological site beneath the cathedral. Children aged 7–14 pay 5 eur.
• Giotto Pass – 20 eur: everything included in the Ghiberti Pass plus access to Giotto’s bell tower. Children aged 7–14 pay 7 eur.
• Brunelleschi Pass – 30 eur: the entire complex, including a climb to the cathedral dome. Children aged 7–14 pay 12 eur.

If you do not wish to visit the dome or the bell tower, buy the Ghiberti Pass. Children under 7 years old are admitted free of charge.

Students, including international students, can purchase the Ghiberti Pass for 5 eur, but only at the ticket office. There is no special discount for senior citizens.

You can buy official tickets on the websitetickets.duomo.firenze.it. There’s no point in paying extra for a standard pass just for the ‘skip the line’ promise: the operator does not sell any separate priority entry to the complex.

Three bronze doors

The three massive bronze doors leading into the baptistery are considered one of the absolute highlights of medieval Tuscan art.

• The south dooris the oldest, dating from 1330 and designed by the architect Andrea Pisano. It features scenes from the life of John the Baptist and is regarded as the last work of Gothic sculpture in Florence.
• The northern doorwas created between 1401 and 1424 by Lorenzo Ghiberti and features scenes from the New Testament.
• The Gates of Paradiseare among Florence’s most famous monuments and were also created in Lorenzo Ghiberti’s workshop. The name ‘Gates of Paradise’ was coined by the famous Michelangelo Buonarroti himself. Ghiberti worked on the gate between 1425 and 1452, and it depicts scenes from the Old Testament.

Opening hours

The Baptistery is open daily from 8.30 am to 7.30 pm. On the first Sunday of the month, it closes at 1.30 pm. Opening hours may vary on religious holidays, so please check the current opening times before your visit.

Visitors must wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees to enter the baptistery. Please do not wear flip-flops.

What to see around

Discover all the places to see in Firenze.