Where is the holy water font?
doh-VEH lak-kwah-san-TYEH-rah.
When a Catholic visitor wants to make the sign of the cross with holy water upon entering. Acquasantiere are typically at the entrance of every Italian church.
L'acquasantiera is the holy water font — a basin containing blessed water at the entrance of Catholic churches. Catholics dip their fingers and make the sign of the cross (farsi il segno della croce) upon entering. Many historic Italian fonts are beautifully decorated.
Come si fa il segno della croce?
How do you make the sign of the cross?
The gesture used with holy water.
L'acqua santa è stata benedetta di recente?
Was the holy water blessed recently?
Asking about the frequency of blessing.
Questa acquasantiera è del Rinascimento?
Is this holy water font from the Renaissance?
Asking about the artistic period of a beautiful font.
Many Italian holy water fonts are masterpieces of Renaissance or Baroque sculpture. Antonio Rossellino and Benedetto da Maiano created elaborate marble fonts in Florentine churches. In Venice, the Baptistery of San Marco has a basin made from an ancient porphyry capital that once served as a Roman throne.