The Baptistery is one of Florence’s most important religious buildings, dedicated to his patron saint, John the Baptist (whose feast is celebrated on 24 June). Raised on the foundations of a Roman building, it is a characteristic example of the Tuscan Romanesque style, dating according to some authorities from around the 11th century (it was consecrated in 1059); others believe that it is an early Christian building later remodelled. Intended for the liturgical function of baptism, in the 11th century it also acted as the city’s Cathedral. Such a large building was required because vast crowds attended the administration of baptism, which in those days took place only twice a year. Most extraordinary of all is the interior of the dome, entirely covered with mosaic showing the Angelic Hierarchies, Scenes from Genesis, Scenes from the life of Joseph the Patriarch, Scenes from the life of Christ, Scenes from the life of St. John the Baptist, and the Last Judgement. The mosaics in the apse are by the Franciscan Jacopo di Torrita (1255). Covering the inside of the Baptistery with mosaic was a difficult and costly undertaking. Work possibly began around 1270 and continued until the beginning of the following century; according to some authorities, Venetian craftsmen were employed, certainly assisted by important local artists who supplied the cartoons, such as Coppo di Marcovaldo (who was responsible for Hell), Meliore, the ‘Magdalene Master’, and Cimabue (to whom the earlier Scenes from the life of the Baptist are attributed).