The construction of the "Battistero di San Giovanni" started in 1152 to replace an older baptistry. Since its completion in 1363 the transition from (Pisan) Romanesque to (Pisan) Gothic style was visible.

The baptistry was designed by Diotisalvi, who signed and dated the building ("1153"), similar to the "Chiesa del Santo Sepolcro" (previous uploads), he had designed some decades before.

The baptistry is about 54 m high, with a circumference of 107 m.

The pulpit of the baptistry is a masterpiece created in 1255-60 by Nicola Pisano, father of Giovanni Pisano. The pulpit's reliefs depict scenes from the life of Christ. Pisono´s works are strongly influenced by classical art and many see Pisano as a precursor of Italian Renaissance sculpture.

Here is the Nativity scene of the pulpit. There is the "Annunciation", the "Annunciation to the shepherds", Jesus in the manger, the "First Bath" - and in the center majestically recumbent Virgin Mary - just like an Etruscan tomb sculpture.