The cupola is an overwhelming feature, and it is difficult to do it justice in a photograph.
It is divided into six concentric bands. Starting from the lowest, they show scenes from the life of Abraham, the life of John the Baptist, Christ with the Virgin, the Baptist and prophets and kings. The fourth band shows the Apostles and Evangelists. The fifth is difficult to make out: it is said to show the heavenly Jerusalem inside its walls. The central circle shows stars of the sky and the highest point of Heaven.
At ground level are 16 niches, frescoed with scenes from the life of Christ. Above the doors are lunettes, by Antelami and his school.
Lunette by Antelami showing the Circumcision.
The next level up has niches, many of which contain sculptures by Antelami and his busy team.
Finally, the fonts and the simple altar. As with other baptisteries, the large total immersial font has been superrceded with a conventional one: luckily, the older one survives.
