category of places

Battistero di San Giovanni in Fonte

About

The Battistero di San Giovanni in Fonte stands beside Verona’s Cathedral, one of the city’s oldest and most evocative sacred spaces. Its origins date back to the Lombard era between the 7th and 8th centuries, when it served as the main baptismal site for the early Christian community. After the 1117 earthquake severely damaged the structure, it was rebuilt in 1123 under Bishop Bernardo, adopting the Romanesque form that survives todayBeWeB. The interior is centred on a magnificent 12th‑century baptismal font carved with scenes from the life of Christ, a masterpiece of medieval sculpture that once welcomed generations of Veronese into the faith. The building’s quiet, ancient atmosphere, combined with its deep historical roots, makes the Battistero a rare window into Verona’s early religious life and its enduring artistic heritage.

Verona Italy

Location

Battistero di San Giovanni in Fonte, also known as Chiesa di San Giovanni in Fonte, is located at Piazza Vescovado in the heart of Verona’s historic center, directly adjacent to the Duomo Cathedral complex. This early Romanesque baptistery sits behind the cathedral’s apse, sharing access with the Chiesa di Sant’Elena and near the Bishop’s Palace, forming a key part of Verona’s ecclesiastical cluster. Nearby landmarks include the Ponte Pietra across the Adige River, Castelvecchio museum a short walk west, and bustling squares like Piazza delle Erbe to the southeast, ideal for combining visits in a compact cultural itinerary.

Battistero di San Giovanni in Fonte

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