Exploring Europe's Oldest Baptistery ✨🏰

🌟 "Greetings from Poitiers, France! Happy Lunar New Year!" 🧧🎉 Kicking off my New Year travels, I chose the charming city of Poitiers—away from the crowds but full of breathtaking beauty and deep history! 🏛️💫 📍 Saint John's Baptistery (Baptistère Saint-Jean) Did you know? This is Europe's oldest Christian relic, dating back to the 4th century—and it was built on the ruins of a 1st-century Roman villa! 🤯 🕰️ An Ancient Ritual Site The octagonal baptismal pool, originally a Roman basin, was used for full-immersion baptisms until the 8th century! Imagine standing where people were baptized over a thousand years ago—pure time-travel vibes! 🛁⏳ 🎨 A Canvas of History Later converted into a church, its walls and ceilings are adorned with 11th-century Romanesque frescoes and 12th-13th-century Gothic paintings. Fun fact from the ticket lady: These aren’t true frescoes—locals in the 11th century had already lost the technique of wet fresco painting! 😮🖌️ 🏺 Even Older Treasures The site also features 6th-century columns and marble slabs (though relocated), adding even more historical weight to this sacred space. 🗿✨ 💬 Why Poitiers? Escaping the tourist crowds, I discovered a hidden gem packed with ancient wonders. Have you ever visited a place like this? What’s your take on historical sites—love them or prefer modern adventures? Share your stories below! 👇💬 #NewYearTravel #OffTheBeatenPath #HistoricWonders #PoitiersAdventure #CityWalkWithHistory #TimeTravelVibes 🚶‍♂️🌍