Il cantiere di San Giovanni Battista a Pistoia (1353-1366)

Published in 1998 by the Società Pistoiese di Storia Patria, this scholarly work by Nicola Bottari Scarfantoni provides a meticulous historical analysis of the construction of the Baptistery of San Giovanni in Corte in Pistoia. The text documents the specific period between 1353 and 1366, a pivotal era when the city of Pistoia was refining its architectural landscape during the late Middle Ages. It serves as a rigorous investigation into the labor, patronage, and logistical challenges faced by the guilds and master builders involved in creating this iconic Gothic structure.

The book is a product of the Società Pistoiese di Storia Patria, an organization dedicated to the preservation and academic study of Pistoia’s regional history and artistic heritage. Bottari Scarfantoni’s approach focuses on the administrative and social context of the construction site, aiming to demystify the architectural processes of the Trecento. Within the community of architectural historians, the work is recognized for its detailed use of primary source documents and its contribution to the technical understanding of Tuscan building practices during the 14th century.