Photos

The Baptistery in Parma is one of Italy's most important medieval monuments. The artworks of the Dome (captured on the photo) were based on a design of the main architect Benedetto Antelami and were completed by the end of XII century. The Dome is divided vertically in 16 gores and horizontaly in 5 fascias.

A red sky surrounds the keystone. The small divisions of 1st fascia contain stars. The 2nd depicts the 12 Apostles and the 4 Evangelists. The 3rd fascia bears Christ on a throne between Our Lady and the Baptist. In the remaining 13 sub-divisions of the 3rd fascia are the 13 Prophets. The 4th fascia depicts 12 episodes of the life of the Baptist and 4 Saints. Finally, the 5th fascia represents episodes of Abraham's life, the 4 natural elements, the 4 seasons and the Virgins.