Impressions of Italy: Cities, Churches, Art

photos by Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D. - taken June 1999

Assisi Florence Padua Pisa Churches of Rome
Ravenna Siena Spello Vatican City Ancient Rome: Home

[click on any small picture below for a larger version]

Padua: The Cathedral Baptistery

Begun in 1075 and dedicated to St. John the Baptist, the Baptistery is a squared-shaped Romanesque building located at the North-East corner of the Cathedral of Padua.  It contains an extensive series of frescoes painted by Giusto de' Menabuoi in 1375-78, covering biblical highlights from the Creation of the World to the Resurrection of Jesus.  Above the four pillars supporting the main cupola are large frescoes depicting the Four Evangelists, seated and writing the Gospels, along with smaller medallions containing their traditional symbols (see also my page on the Symbols of the Four Evangelists).  Around the small altar in the apse are 43 frescoes depicting various scenes from the Book of Revelation.


The Four Evangelists and Their Symbols (see Rev 4:6-8)

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

Angel

Lion

Ox

Eagle


The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (see Rev 6:1-8)
[Note: These pictures are unfortunately rather dark, due to poor interior lighting conditions.]

White = Conquering

Red = War

Black = Famine

Pale Green = Death

Vision of Christ among the Lampstands
from Rev 1:9-20


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This page was last updated on January 26, 2022
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