1-269-447 - Peter Thompson/Heritage Images

Mosaic ceiling, Baptistry of St John, Florence, Italy. The Baptistry of St John (Battistero di San Giovanni) is thought to be the oldest building in Florence, dating from the 6th or 7th century. The basilica's magnificent ceiling mosaics were produced in the 13th century. This detail shows the figure of Christ in Judgement, which is over 8 metres high. Amongst the surrounding scenes is a depiction of the terrors of Hell (lower right) which is believed to have inspired Dante Alighieri when he wrote his 'Divine Comedy'.