Cremona - Baptistery

The construction of the octogonal "Cremona Baptistery" next to the Cathedral started in 1167. At that time the cathedral was not completed. The baptistery measures 34 meters in height and 20.50 meters in diameter.

During the time of the Renaissance some alterations were done. One was to cover the bare brick walls with white marble. This was started, but never completed.

This is probably the piazza, where in 1237 and 1241 the "Cremona elephant" (see previous uploads) could be seen in Frederick II´s triumph parades. The piazza is lined by the baptistery, the duomo, Torrazzo, the massive tower on one side and the Palazzo Comunale and the Loggia dei Militi on the other.