Around the central area; where is the basin of the font; an octagon is formed by eight porphyry columns. The domed octagonal Lateran Baptistery (Baptist鑢e du Latran; Baptisterium des Lateran; Battistero di san Giovanni in Fonte al Laterano) stands somewhat apart from the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran. (basilique Saint-Jean de Latran; Lateranbasilika). This baptistery was founded by Pope Sixtus III in 440; perhaps on an earlier structure. This baptistery; the oldest in the world; was for many generations the only baptistery in Rome.Rome; Italy (2020)