The characterization and renovation of parterre floor tiles in the pilgrimage church of St. John of Nepomuk (Czech Republic)

Abstract

The Pilgrimage Church of St. John of Nepomuk is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This article presents the restoration work on a critically damaged parterre floor, involving the identification of the materials of the original tiles, the manufacture of replicas, and the design of the final tile layout. The original floor layout consisting of three-colored floor tiles in specific shapes was estimated by experts based on the remaining historical tiles in the peripheral parts of the church using calculations and computer simulations. The proposed tile-layout plan respects the original color and shape combination. The composition of the new ceramic mass and the color-decoration technique were based on ancient styles of ceramic technology. The successful renovation of the parterre floor tiles in the Pilgrimage Church of St. John of Nepomuk is a testament to the importance of preserving cultural heritage and helps to maintain the integrity of this historic site.

Keywords

• Characterization
• Historical Tiles
• Ceramic Body
• Engobe
• Replica