Temples & religious sites
Gates of Paradise
Gates of Paradise
The Gates of Paradise are the gilded bronze doors on the east side of the Florence Baptistery, facing the cathedral. They depict ten scenes from the Old Testament in low relief, and travellers visit them to see one of the defining works of the early Renaissance up close — the panels use perspective and layered relief to create a sense of depth that was unusual for the period. Note that the doors currently on the Baptistery are replicas; the originals, restored after flood damage, are displayed in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo nearby.
Getting there
The Baptistery sits in the heart of Florence's historic centre, on Piazza San Giovanni next to the Duomo. It's walkable from most central hotels, typically 10-15 minutes from the Santa Maria Novella train station on foot. The area is pedestrian-heavy, so driving or parking nearby isn't practical.
How much time to allow
Viewing the doors themselves takes only a few minutes, but pair this with the Baptistery's interior (notably its mosaic ceiling) and the visit can easily extend to 30-45 minutes.
When to go
Piazza San Giovanni is one of the busiest squares in Florence, especially in front of the Baptistery where visitors gather to photograph the doors. Mornings, right when the area opens for the day, tend to be calmer than midday and afternoon. Expect dense crowds in this part of the city year-round, with the heaviest congestion in spring and summer.
What to combine it with
Everything of note here is within a couple of minutes' walk. Giotto's Campanile and the Tomb of Antipope John XXIII are right on the same square, and the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo — home to the original door panels — is about 100 metres away, making it a natural next stop to see the authentic reliefs in detail.
Updated September 20, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
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