Florence Baptistery reopens after restoration of internal marble walls

The Baptistery of Florence has reopened to the public after eight months of closure, partly due to Covid-19 restrictions. For the first time, visitors can see four of the eight internal walls fully restored, featuring white and green marble from Prato with mosaics of prophets, bishops, and cherubs created between the first and second decades of the 14th century. The funerary monument of Antipope John XXIII, by Donatello and Michelozzo, has been cleaned of surface dust, revealing its bronze gilding. Restoration began in 2017, following the earlier completion of the external facades and roof. The project is directed and funded by the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore with an investment of about 2 million euros, under the supervision of the Soprintendenza ABAP for the metropolitan city of Florence and the provinces of Pistoia and Prato, with diagnostic collaboration from Italian universities and specialized laboratories. The current phase does not include the dome mosaics, which will be restored later. Scaffolding has been moved to the remaining four walls for diagnostic investigations. The ancient floor maintenance has also begun, culminating in the restoration of a precious marble inlay section. The entire interior restoration is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.