The Baptistery of San Giovanni at a glance
The Florence Baptistery (Battistero di San Giovanni) is an octagonal building in Romanesque style. It stands directly in front of the cathedral on the Piazza San Giovanni side. It was consecrated in 1059. An old story links the site to a Roman temple of Mars, but that is tradition, not a proven origin.
Two things shape a visit in 2026. The gold mosaics in the vault are not visible during restoration, and the Paradise Door on the outside is a copy. The original is in the Opera del Duomo museum. The baptistery is part of every regular pass, so most visitors see it as one stop on a set of Florence Duomo tickets.
The mosaics: what is hidden
Gold-ground mosaics from the 13th and 14th centuries cover the vault. They show Christ as judge and scenes from the Bible. Because of the restoration, the vault mosaics are not visible at the moment. Do not plan your visit around looking up at the full ceiling. The picture shows the mosaic ceiling as it is normally known; right now you should expect something different.
Check the current state before you go. What stays the same is the building itself, the white and green marble of the walls and the bronze doors.
Restoration-site tour
A guided visit of the restoration site costs €65 (2026). It is a different product from normal entry, and free places on your date are not guaranteed, so check availability before you plan around it.
What to do instead
Use the time at the baptistery for the doors and the architecture, and see the original bronze panels in the museum on the same pass.
Our pick: the Baptistery without a climb
Our take: this ticket covers the Baptistery, the crypt and the museum, where the original doors are.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Florence Duomo tours and tickets
Guided visits and combined tickets around the cathedral, the baptistery and the museum, with live prices and availability.
The bronze doors and where the originals are
The three bronze doors are among the best-known works of the complex. The Paradise Door is the east door by Lorenzo Ghiberti, with 10 Old Testament panels. The north door is also by Ghiberti. The south door is by Andrea Pisano.
The doors on the building today are copies. The originals of all the historic doors are kept in the museum, which is the place to see the real Paradise Door.
| Door | Maker | Original today |
|---|---|---|
| South door | Andrea Pisano | Museo dell'Opera del Duomo |
| North door | Lorenzo Ghiberti | Museo dell'Opera del Duomo |
| East door, the Paradise Door (10 panels) | Lorenzo Ghiberti | Museo dell'Opera del Duomo |
For most visitors: look at the doors on the piazza for the setting, then spend your door time in the museum with the originals. Both are on the same pass.
Tickets and passes that include the baptistery
2026 prices of the cathedral complex. Full price from age 15, reduced for ages 7 to 14, free from 0 to 6.
| Pass | Adult | Ages 7 to 14 | Ages 0 to 6 | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brunelleschi Pass | €30 | €12 | €0 | Dome, bell tower, baptistery, museum, Santa Reparata |
| Giotto Pass | €20 | €7 | €0 | Bell tower, baptistery, museum, Santa Reparata |
| Ghiberti Pass | €15 | €5 | €0 | Baptistery, museum, Santa Reparata |
| Ghiberti On-site | €15 | €5 | €0 | Museum and baptistery, no Santa Reparata |
Each pass is valid for 3 calendar days from the date you choose, and each monument can be entered once. Only the timed part needs a booking: the dome slot for the Brunelleschi Pass, the tower slot for the Giotto Pass and the Santa Reparata slot for the Ghiberti Pass. The baptistery itself is visited during opening hours. Ghiberti On-site is sold only at the ticket office and only when the regular Ghiberti Pass is sold out, not on the museum's closed day.
For most visitors who want the dome, the Brunelleschi Pass is the right one. If you only want the baptistery, the museum and the archaeology below the cathedral, the Ghiberti Pass at €15 covers it. Students pay €5 for the Ghiberti Pass with proof at the ticket office, not online. The ticket office is at Piazza San Giovanni 7.
Practical tips for the baptistery
Hours, dress and bags.
Hours
Daily 08:30 to 19:30. On the first Sunday of the month the baptistery ends at 13:30. The whole complex is closed on 1 January, Easter Sunday and 25 December.
All opening hours →What to wear
Cover your shoulders and knees and skip flip-flops. The same rule applies in the cathedral.
Bags
Medium and large bags, backpacks and suitcases must be left before you enter. The luggage deposit at Piazza Duomo 38/r is open daily 07:30 to 20:15 and is included with the pass.
Access
The baptistery has a ramp. The side door used for entry can change, so follow the signs on the day.
Plan the rest of your visit
Opera del Duomo museum
The original Paradise Door, Michelangelo's Pietà and more.
Tickets and passes
Brunelleschi, Giotto and Ghiberti compared with prices.
Inside the cathedral
The Last Judgment, the clock and Santa Reparata.
On the other side of the city centre, Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi have their own guide.
Florence Baptistery: frequently asked questions
Can I see the baptistery mosaics now?
The vault mosaics are not visible during the restoration. Check the current state before you go. The building, its marble and the doors can still be seen.
Is the Paradise Door at the baptistery the original?
No. The doors on the building are copies. The original Paradise Door by Ghiberti is in the Opera del Duomo museum, together with the original north and south doors.
Do I need a time slot for the baptistery?
Not for the baptistery itself. With a regular pass only the dome, the bell tower or Santa Reparata needs a booked slot, depending on the pass. The baptistery is open daily during its hours.
How much does the baptistery cost?
It is included in all regular passes. The cheapest is the Ghiberti Pass at €15 for adults in 2026. Children aged 7 to 14 pay €5 and younger children are free.
What should I wear?
Cover your shoulders and knees and do not wear flip-flops. Big bags and backpacks go to the luggage deposit.
Is this an official site?
No. This is an independent guide to the cathedral complex in Florence. Passes are sold by the complex itself and by other sellers, so check who you are buying from.