padua baptistery
The Padua Baptistery, a remarkable religious edifice dedicated to St. John the Baptist, stands proudly on the Piazza del Duomo, adjacent to the cathedral in Padua, Italy. This historic structure is renowned for housing one of the 14th century's most significant fresco cycles, masterfully created by Giusto de' Menabuoi. The baptistery's construction began in the 12th century, and it was consecrated in 1281. Its walls are adorned with a mesmerizing array of frescoes that depict scenes from the lives of St. John the Baptist, Mary, and Jesus, showcasing a blend of Romanesque and Byzantine influences.