Saint John Baptistery in Florence (Italy): Studies for Conservation of the External Marble Cladding

Abstract

Saint John’s Baptistery in Florence (Italy), dating back to the XI century, represents one of the most outstanding historical buildings in the city, and has been under the UNESCO patronage as Cultural Heritage since 1982. In recent years, in the frame of a conservation project, detailed studies and mapping of all the tiles covering the Baptistery have been developed. Based on a laser-scan survey, a detailed wireframe model of all the external sides, reporting all the tiles and decor, has been developed. This model was implemented into a 2D-GIS, georeferenced in real scale and spatial position. An in situ survey of all the tiles, ashlars, inlays and columns, made in contradiction by experts in historical ornamental stones, allowed the recognition of several types of marble in place. All these marbles have been analyzed and characterized as geometric, geological and historical data, and the information implemented into a GIS for obtaining a spatial geodatabase representing a “box” to store all information achieved. All these data are manageable by web through smartphone, tablet and PC for querying or updating, thus representing an effective management tool for further conservation of such important historical cultural buildings.

Keywords

• Saint John Baptistery
• Florence
• cultural heritage building
• marbles
• GIS