The Baptistery of St John the Baptist
Religious heritage, Piran
The Baroque baptistery in Piran stands next to St. George’s Church and was built as part of a major renovation of the church complex in 1650. It replaced the medieval baptistery that once stood in front of the church. The new structure maintains an octagonal floor plan, features a domed roof and a roof lantern that brings natural light into the interior. Elements such as stone reliefs and an ornamental window were preserved from the original site.
The interior was renovated in 1975, restoring its Baroque appearance and removing damaged 19th-century decorations. The main altar, designed by Giovanni Sartori, was created by Iseppo and Pietro Manaresi between 1691 and 1693. It features a painting of the Baptism of Christ by a Venetian artist. In 1694, a double staircase and an altar of St. Odoric were added in front of the baptistery.
Inside are several valuable works of art. The painting Madonna with Child and Saints is attributed to Ambrogio Bon from the late 17th century, and Our Lady of Sorrows is by Trieste painter Ferdinando Quajati from the 19th century.
The oldest element is a Roman tombstone from the 1st century, converted into a baptismal font with a dolphin and winged child motif, a symbol of transition to the afterlife. On April 8, 1692, Giuseppe Tartini, the renowned violinist and composer, was baptized here. In 2014, the roof, façade, entrance portal, and staircase were restored.
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