formerly used for the administration of baptism by immersion. This elegant font stood in former times in the centre of the baptistery erected near the cathedral by Callixtus, Bishop of Aquileja, in A.D. 773. But after the destruction of the building, which took place in 1645, the font was transferred to the church, where it is still to be seen. It is surrounded by eight columns elegantly sculptured, which support semi-circular arches, adorned with figures, symbols, and various inscriptions.*

BAPTISTERY OF CREMONA.

Neither ancient nor modern writers agree in determining the epoch of the construction of the magnificent baptistery of Cremona, but it is generally thought to be

Fig. 38. PLAN OF BAPTISTERY OF CREMONA. not much posterior to the tenth century. The building is octagonal, about sixty feet in diameter, and has sixteen

De Rubeis, Eccl. Aquil

* Zancarol, Ant. Civ. For. Jul. lib. iii. Mon. Del Torre, Lett. Intorno alle Ant. Crist.

columns of Veronese marble, which support the roof and cupola. (Fig. 38.) In the centre is a large octagonal marble basin of a diameter of six feet.* The building is in a plain and simple Lombard style. It has, what is very rare in this class of edifices, a fine projecting porch,

supported by lions. The windows, by which it is scantily lighted, might serve for a Norman castle. The walls within are covered with ranges of Lombard arches, and ragments of frescoes are seen in the gloom.† (Fig. 39.)

* Merula, Santuario di Cremona. Aporti, Eccl. Crem.
Murray's Handbook for Italy.

BAPTISTERIES OF ASCOLI AND TORCELLO.

199

BAPTISTERY OF ASCOLI.

On the north side of the cathedral there is a detached baptistery, a building of the ninth or tenth century. It is square at the base and octagonal above. Recent excavations have brought to light a large circular basin, built of travertine marble, and which stood in the middle

of the baptistery. To it was attached a square pulpit,

from which the administrator addressed the catechumens previous to admitting them to the rite of baptism.† The style of the whole building is Byzantine.

BAPTISTERY OF TORCELLO.

Torcello was the parent island of the Venetian States; the spot to which the unfortunate inhabitants of Altinum and Aquileja fled for safety when their homes were made desolate by the northern invaders. Thus peopled, Torcello became a town, and had its cathedral and its bishops

Fig. 40. PLAN OF CATHEDRAL AND BAPTISTERY OF TORCELLO. long before the existence of St. Mark's at Venice. The cathedral stands in the same state in which it was rebuilt in the beginning of the eleventh century by Orso Orseolo, Bishop of Torcello, and son of the celebrated Doge, Pietro Orseolo.

Orsini, Descrizione delle Pitt. Ecc. della Città di Ascoli. Lazzari. Ascoli in Prospettiva.

↑ Lopez, Battisteri, p. 269.

In front of the west door of the cathedral may still be traced the remains of a very perfect baptistery. (Fig. 40.) This was a square building externally, measuring thirty-seven feet each way, and internally an octagon, with the angles cut into hemispherical niches. In the centre stood a large font, in the form of an octagon.*

BAPTISTERY OF PADUA.

This baptistery is said to have been built about the middle of the twelfth century, although Italian authors disagree as to the precise time in which it was founded. All agree, however, in stating that it was finished and adorned in A.D. 1376. The building is square at the base and circular above. In the centre stands a large circular font, five feet across, and four feet deep. It was formerly used for immersion.

BAPTISTERY OF PISA.

This magnificent baptistery has deservedly excited the admiration of travellers. It was begun in A.D. 1153; Diotisalvi was the name of the architect,† but he did not bring the work to a conclusion. It remained unfinished a number of years, from a deficiency of funds. At length, the citizens of Pisa levied a rate for the purpose. An inscription on the south side of the interior, near the floor of the gallery, cut deep in the circular wall, indicates that the work was resumed in 1278. There is

* Costadoni, Osservazioni intorno la Chiesa Catled. di Torcello, P. 33.

The following inscriptions are found on two pilasters within the building

MCLIII MENSE AVG. FVNDATA FVIT HÆC ECCLESIA.

DEO TI SALVI MAGISTER HVIVS OPERIS.

(This church was founded in the month of May, in the year 1153. Diotisalvi, master of this work).

reason to believe, from the date on the monument of an operarius, or builder, within the fabric, that it was not completed before the fourteenth century; all which sufficiently accounts for the finials and ornaments in the pointed style which appear in the upper parts of the building.*

This baptistery is of singular design. The plan is circular, with a diameter of one hundred and sixteen feet

(Fig. 41); the walls are eight feet thick, the building is raised on three steps, and surmounted with a dome in the shape of a pear. (Fig. 42.) The external elevation is divided into three stories; in the basement the columns, twenty in number, are engaged, and have arches springing from column to column, with a bold cornice above. In the first story the columns are smaller, stand out in relief, and are placed closer together, and the order is surmounted with pinnacles and high pediments, placed at equal distances: the terminations of these parts are crowned with statues.

Knight, Ecclesiastical Architecture of Italy. Morona, Pisa Illustrata.