Grado (2): The Baptistery

 

 

Campo dei Patriarchi with the column of the lost colonnade.

In the background you can see the baptistery, an octagonal building
with a small apse on the eastern side.

 

 

A triple cross is placed on top of the column.
The pedestal of the cross carries an inscription: "IO. PAULUS II P. P."
This is the Latin name of John Paul II, Pope 1978-2005.

 

 

The pedestal of the column carries a plaque with an inscription:

The cross of Grado's Patriarchate, 607-1451.

 

 

On the left the baptistery; on the right the cathedral.

 

 

 The courtyard of the baptistery.
On the left: some sarcophagi; on the right some tombstones.

  

 

 The sarcophagus of Titus Canius Restitutus and Memmia Nicena;
front and left side.

 

The sarcophagus; front and right side.

 

The front of the sarcophagus.
CIL 05 - 08353. Ubi Erat Lupa # 14742.

The Latin inscription:
Dis  Manibus // Tito CANIO RESTITUTO // ET MEMMIAE NICENI //
CONIUGIBUS QUI VIXERunt // IN SE SINE ULLA QUERELLa //
ANNIS XXIII DIEBUS XXX // FILII PARENTIBUS POSUERUNT.

In English:
To the spirits of the departed. To Titus Canius Restitutus and Memmia, daughter of Nicenus,
who lived together as husband and wife without any quarrels for 23 years and 30 days.
Their sons erected [this monument] for their parents.



Tombstone for Lucius Magius Lamyrus.
Ubi Erat Lupa # 14748.

The Latin text:
Lucio MAGIO // LAMYRO //
VALERIA TERTIA // CONIUGI PIENTISSIMO Viva Fecit.

In English:
"Valeria Tertia erected [this monument] while she was alive
for her faithful husband Lucius Magius Lamyrus."

Tombstone for Lucius Valerius Agathia.
Ubi Erat Lupa # 14747.

The Latin text:
Lucio VALERIO // AGATHIAE // VI VIR AQUILeiensi // VALERIA EUTYCHIA //
CONIUGi PIISSIMO Viva Fecit // ET VALERIO AGATOCLE //
ET VALERIO CRATO NEPotibus // ET VALERIAE MNESITHLAE Filiae //
ET Caio LUCRETIO SABINO Filio //
LIBertis LIBertabusQue POSTerisQue // EORum.

Tombstone for Gajus Mercusenus.
Ubi Erat Lupa # 14746.

The Latin text:
Caio MERCUSENO // SEXti FILIO Vivo // Caius MERCUSENUS //
SUASOR LIBertus Vivus Fecit // APPULEIAE mulieris Libertae // MYRTIDI //
Caio MERCUSENO FLORO Filio // CELADO LIBerto.

Inside the baptistery: the ceiling.

The interior of the baptistery with the rebuilt hexagonal font.

The hexagonal font.

Detail of the floor mosaic.

This painting on the wall shows a famous scene:
Jesus is baptised by John the Baptist.

* * *

Go to the next installment:

Grado (3): The Lapidarium

* * *