Baptistery of San Giovanni in Corte and the Palazzo dei Vescovi

It’s impossible to miss this octagonal building, with its unique white and green marble stripes. You’re standing in front of the Baptistery of San Giovanni in Corte. Construction began in the early 14th century, around 1301, on the remains of an earlier Lombard church, and it was completed in 1361. The architect is still unknown, but what’s certain is that this is a beautiful example of Tuscan Gothic architecture, combining influences from Pisa, Florence, and Siena. Take a moment to look at the details: the octagonal shape, typical of baptisteries, the marble from Carrara, Prato, and Siena, and at the top, the lantern surrounded by small spires, which gives the whole structure a lighter feel despite its 40-meter height. Step a little closer to the main entrance. The portal is richly decorated, and above it you’ll see a Virgin and Child, flanked by Saint John the Baptist and Saint Peter. On the right, there’s a small pulpit dating from 1359, once used to present relics to the crowd. Don’t hesitate to step inside, entry is free. The contrast is immediate: the interior is simple, almost austere, which naturally draws your attention to the most important feature, the baptismal font. It dates back to 1226, well before the current building, and bears the signature of the sculptor Lanfranco da Como, rediscovered during a restoration in 1975. At the time, baptisms were carried out by full immersion. As you step back outside, turn slightly to your left. Do you see that larger, more solid-looking building, with its somewhat irregular appearance? That’s the Palazzo dei Vescovi, the Bishops’ Palace. Documented as early as 1091, it’s one of the oldest buildings on the square and once represented religious power in Pistoia. Take a look at the façade, it may seem a bit uneven, almost like a patchwork. That’s as a result of the many changes the building went through between the Middle Ages and the modern era, fitting naturally into Piazza del Duomo.