Baptistery of St John & Giotto's Tower

Two architectural masterpieces in the shadow of Il Duomo
Noteworthy for: The Baptistery is best known for its three incredibly artistic bronze doors (complete with intricate molded reliefs) by Andrea Pisano and Lorenzo Ghiberti. They’re true masterpieces.

A tiny basilica with a long history, the Battistero di San Giovanni (Baptistery of St John) has been around since the 11th century. Once the largest and most important Catholic church in Florence, it is now dwarfed in both senses by the neighbouring Duomo - but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth seeing. On the contrary, its unusual octagonal Romanesque design, unique medieval mosaics and beautiful bronze doors (dubbed ‘the Gates of Paradise’ by Michelangelo, no less) make it one of the city's most distinctive sights.
Also in the Piazza del Duomo, very close to the Baptistery, is the Campanile del Giotto - an 85 metre-high, decorative Gothic bell tower that dates back to the 14th century. You can climb the tower to get an incredible 360-degree view of the city below - just be aware that it involves tackling the 400 sizable steps.