This field recording, captured on May 13th, 2023, in Pisa at the Battistero di San Giovanni, immerses the listener in the acoustics of one of Italy’s most iconic heritage sites. The soundscape is a blend of the bustling noise of tourist groups, their conversations drifting in and out of focus, and the captivating vocal performance of a tour guide. 

As the guide demonstrates the remarkable acoustics of the Baptistery, their voice rises in song, reverberating through the building’s awe-inspiring echo. This recording reflects the tension between the overwhelming presence of tourism—where quiet reflection is almost impossible—and the reverence for the sacred space. The unique resonance of the Baptistery, with its long, warm reverb, amplifies both the chaos of modern tourism and the humility of the building’s spiritual and sonic qualities.

UNESCO listing: Battistero di San Giovanni

Recorded by Richie Herbst.

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This sound is part of the Sonic Heritage project, exploring the sounds of the world’s most famous sights.

Find out more and explore the whole project: https://www.citiesandmemory.com/heritage

IMAGE: Lucarelli, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

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