The Baptistery of Parma was begun in 1196 by Benedetto Antelami, master sculptor and architect. It is one of Europe's most significant medieval monuments, crafted from pink Verona marble. The building marks the transition between the Romanesque and Gothic styles and was completed in the 14th century with the addition of the roof and interior decorations.
The external structure is octagonal, symbolizing rebirth and baptismal regeneration. The pink marble walls are articulated by pilasters and blind arches. Twelve niches house statues sculpted by Antelami, while three portals feature bas-reliefs with biblical and zodiacal scenes of great refinement.
The interior is characterized by a central marble baptismal font and 14th-century frescoes on the upper walls. The dome is decorated with a pictorial cycle in sectors representing saints, angels, and prophets. Despite the passage of time, the frescoes retain great expressiveness and historical value.
The interior decorations and exterior bas-reliefs constitute a true visual catechism. They feature representations of the Apocalypse, scenes from Genesis, zodiac signs, and allegories of the months, all executed with extraordinary narrative and symbolic mastery by Antelami and his collaborators.
Antelami is the author of numerous sculptures both inside and outside the Baptistery. The most notable are the statues of the apostles, the reliefs of the main lunette with the Presentation in the Temple, and the allegories of the seasons. Each work is a masterpiece of balance between faith, symbolism, and formal beauty.