Some pics of the beautiful Baptistery adiacent to the mighty Basilica of San Giovanni and its Lateranense Palace in Roma.
This baptistery was for many generations the only one in Rome, and its domed octagonal structure, centered upon the large octagonal basin for full immersions, provided a model for others throughout Italy, and even an iconic motif of illuminated manuscripts, “The Fountain of Life“. It was probably one of the first examples of Christian architecture with a central plan (along with the Mausoleum of Saint Constance and the rotunda of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem) (from Wikipedia).
The Baptistery was subject to an elaborate restoration during the pontificate of Pope Urban VIII. While its interior architecture was consolidated and embellished after plans of Gian Lorenzo Bernini around 1633, a fresco cycle with scenes from the life of Constantine lies on the walls of the ambulatory (from Wikipedia). Under the Dome you may find frescos that are copies of paintings of Andrea Sacchi.
