L ike many holy places in Europe, there is no way to tell for just how long this site has been revered. Local lore says there has been some sort of shrine on this spot since ancient Roman times. The earliest record of this location is in 1128 when the cathedral on this spot was moved and eventually became the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The baptistery was erected some time after that, and is constructed of black and white marble in a design that both highlights the architectural features of the building and provides decoration. In structure, it is an octagon with an extension building added to one side. While distinctly three-stories, the outlining of the second-floor galleries and first-floor columns in black marble gives the illusion of an immense single first story topped by a smaller second story, and then the roof. The entrance has bronze doors sculpted by Lorenzo Ghiberti.
