Galerie

Baptism and Baptisteries in the Byzantine Era

Early in the Christian Era, initiation into Christianity by baptism marked a significant turn in the life of an individual. This gallery gives a glimpse of the impressive architectural legacy and of the variety of structural and decorative baptisteries in the Byzantine period.

University of Bologna

Interior of Albenga baptistery: vault with monogram of Christ, radiating out in duplicate, surrounded by doves on a starry sky. In the intrados vegetal motifs and an inscription with the names of some saints

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University of Bologna

Exterior of Albenga baptistery

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University of Bologna

Excavation of the triconco baptistery

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University of Bologna

(Ed.ne Alinari) P.e 2. No 3745 Florence - Baptistery. A division of the dome; detail of the mosaic of the dome. (Iacopo Francescano and other masters). The three segments above the altar are occupied by the scene of the Last Judgment. The central one is a…

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University of Bologna

(Ed.ne Alinari) No 17250 Florence - Baptistery. Mosaics in the Volta della Scarsella. (Between Iacopo Minorita)

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University of Bologna

Mosaic in baptistery of St. Mark basilica: the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ with St. Mark, the Virgin Mary, St. John the Baptist, St. John the Evangelist, the Doge Andrea Dandolo and the Cancellier Grande Caresini

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Museum of Ravenna

Neonian Baptistery, wall mosaic decoration: the procession of the Apostles

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University of Bologna

S. Maria in Padovetere, the baptistery after the restoration

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Museum of Ravenna
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University of Bologna

Internal view of the baptistery: Renaissance decoration with the use of polychrome marbles

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University of Bologna
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University of Bologna

Plan of the pre-Eufrasian structures. I-Ecclesia II- Martirium III- Catechumeneum a- original baptismal font b- enlarged baptistery c- entrance d- Prothesis or diaconicon

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University of Bologna

Plan of St. John Baptistery of Canosa

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University of Bologna
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University of Bologna

Entrance to the baptistery of the Eufrasian basilica

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University of Bologna

(Ed.ne Alinari) No 17249 Florence - Baptistery. Decoration at the lantern (Mosaic of the 13th century)

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University of Bologna

Interior of the baptistery of S. Severina

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Museum of Ravenna

Arian Baptistery, wall mosaic decoration, cupola: the Baptism of Christ. Christ is shown naked, beardless and half-submerged in the river. Christ is flanked by John the Baptist on the right and a personification of the river Jordan on the left. He is clad…

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Museum of Ravenna

Neonian Baptistery, wall mosaic decoration, cupola, external band: Etimasia

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Museum of Ravenna

Neonian Baptistery, wall mosaic decoration: cupola. The central area shows the Baptism of Christ in the river Jordan. On middle band the procession of the Apostles is depicted and on external band Etimasia and altars are represented.

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University of Bologna
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University of Bologna

Sarcophagus front reused as a baptismal font in the St. John Baptistery of Castrocaro. It is decorated with aniconic motifs such as crosses and a candleholder.

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Museum of Ravenna

Arian Baptistery, aerial view

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University of Bologna
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University of Bologna
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Museum of Ravenna

Neonian Baptistery, baptismal font. The marble octagonal font was made in the 16th century, except for the fragment of ambo that dates back to the 5th century.

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University of Bologna

Tav IV: plan of the original structures of the Eufrasian basilica. P- Font a- wall betweet the baptistery and the church

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University of Bologna
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University of Bologna

Interior of Albenga baptistery with the octagonal font

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Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

The entrance from the apodyterium to the catechumeneion of the Baptistery

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Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

View of the Baptistery during excavation

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University of Bologna

Exterior of the octagonal baptistery with roman sarcophagi in the courtyard

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Museum of Ravenna

Arian Baptistery, wall mosaic decoration, cupola. The central area shows the Baptism of Christ in the river Jordan. On the external circular band the procession of the Apostles is depicted, led in separate directions, meeting at the empty throne (Etimasia…

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Museum of Ravenna

Basilica Spirito Santo and Arian Baptistery, external buildings

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Museum of Ravenna

Neonian Baptistery, aerial view

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Museum of Ravenna

Neonian Baptistery, external view

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University of Bologna

Plan of a Church with three naves separated by two lines of columns, pastophoria and an atrium with the baptistery

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University of Bologna

View of a three-nave Church with a circular apse and its baptistery on the North side

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University of Bologna

Exterior of the Church of Saint Simeon Stylites, with the baptistery and annexed rooms

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Museum of Ravenna

Neonian Baptistery, view of the interior

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Museum of Ravenna

Neonian Baptistery, view of the interior with the mosaic and stucco decoration

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University of Bologna

The Baptistery of Callistus: drawing of the archaeological excavations in 1909

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University of Bologna

Plan and section of Split orthodox baptistery (left) and ofDiocletian's mausoleum (right)

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