The Arian Baptistery was built in the late-5th and early-6th centuries by the Ostrogothic king Theodoric, who also had a basilica built for Arian worship, the present Church of the Holy Spirit, which you find in the immediate vicinity.
As you can see, the Baptistery is more than two meters lower than street level due to the phenomenon of subsidence, that is, the sinking of the floor, which has affected several areas of the city in the past.
From the outside, the small octagonal building looks very simple and modest. Clad in simple brick, its structure is distinguished by the presence of four small apses and windows on the upper level.
Originally, there was an ambulatory, i.e. a porticoed corridor, decorated with columns of which nothing remains. Over time, the fixtures, stucco, marble, and most of the mosaic decoration also disappeared.
But the most beautiful jewels, namely the mosaics of the dome, have come down to us and you can admire them up above in all their glory.
Now press pause and press play again inside.
In the center of the floor is a simple circular marble slab marking the spot where the baptismal font was located.
Looking up at the dome you see a central medallion with an image of the Baptism of Christ. Jesus is immersed to his waist in the waters of the River Jordan; on the right is St. John, dressed in simple skins, while on the left, the old man with a pair of claws on his head represents the Jordan River. Above Christ a dove pours the Holy Spirit upon him.
In the outermost circle you see the twelve apostles: ten hold the crown of martyrdom, while St. Peter, to the right of God's throne, holds keys out to him, and St. Paul, to the left, holds a scroll, a symbol of Christ's word.
Let me leave you with an interesting fact: It is important to know that those who were baptized according to the Arian rite had to immerse themselves completely three times in the water of the baptismal font, just as Jesus did in the waters of the Jordan River.
Language: English