The south portal
It is the least ornate and barest portal, maybe because other buildings, now pulled down, used to be pressed up against this side the Baptistery, and partly concealed it.
The south portal — In depth
The south portal
The lunette
The lunette depicts the legend of Barlaam and Josaphat, a Christian story with Buddhist influences that was particularly well-known in the Middle Ages. Prince Josaphat, converted by Barlaam, flees chased by the dragon. He climbs a tree, but two large rodents threaten to make him fall into the jaws of the dragon. Josaphat saves himself by eating honey from the honeycomb on the branches. Honey is a biblical symbol of the Word that nourishes.
The lintel
The lintel depicts Christ, seated and crowned, holding an open book bearing the inscription “I am the alpha and the omega”, an expression taken from the book of the Apocalypse which we also find in the dome inside the building. On the left, John the Baptist points to Christ, “the lamb of God.”