Parma Baptistery

Architecturally, the baptistery of Parma Cathedral marks a transition between the Romanesque and Gothic styles,[1] and it is considered to be among the most important Medieval monuments in Europe.

The city council of Parma commissioned Benedetto Antelami to build the baptistery in 1196.

[4] The lowest part of the baptistery is encircled with bas-relief sculptures of animals, fabulous beasts, sea monsters, centaurs, mermaids, and unicorns.

The door is decorated with scenes of the Adoration of the Magi and an angel instructing Joseph to flee to Egypt.

[3] The "Portale della Vita" or Door of Life faces south, and the scene in its lunette shows a man eating honey in a tree.

[3] The lower part of the interior contains sixteen arches, forming alcoves each containing a painted scene.