Baptistery of Bergamo

The Baptistery of Bergamo is a structure intended for the baptismal rite, located in Piazza del Duomo, in front of the Cathedral of Sant’Alessandro, in the ancient part of Bergamo, Città Alta.

SHORT HISTORY

In 1340, the sculptor Giovanni da Campione was commissioned to build a baptistery inside the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

In 1449, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore was entrusted to the Congregation of the Greater Mercy (Congregazione della Misericordia Maggiore), removing it from the jurisdiction of the bishop, and the baptistery became inaccessible.

In 1660, the baptistery was dismantled and moved to the nearby courtyard of the rectory. The baptismal font was placed on the counter-facade of the basilica, where it remained until 1691, when it was moved to the second chapel on the left dedicated to Saint John.

Only in 1897, the final arrangement of the baptistery was decided, with an architectural reinterpretation by Virginio Muzio, and in 1900 the structure was completed and placed in Piazza del Duomo, in front of the Cathedral of Bergamo.

ART AND ARCHITECTURE

The baptistery, enclosed by a 19th-century gate, has an octagonal plan. Above the 17th-century dark marble base, there are the 14th-century columns in red Verona marble.

The eight statues of the Virtues located above the cornice, the angel placed on the lantern and the baptismal font are also remains of the original baptistery. The portal is from the 14th century, but was not part of the original structure.

The interior of baptistery is rich in symbolism. The two-colored marble flooring that converges towards the baptismal font symbolizes the waves of the Jordan River. The structure is covered by a dome with a skylight, the dove at the top symbolizing the Holy Spirit.

On the walls, there are eight stupendous bas-reliefs that tell the life of Jesus, works by the same Giovanni da Campione.

HOW TO GET THERE

The Baptistery is located about 2.4 kilometers away from the Bergamo railway station. The closest bus stop is in Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe, located about 290 meters away, on the bus Line 3. From the same square, you can also take the cableway to Città Bassa.