Geometry and Symbolism in the Baptistery of Florence: The Pavement and other Internal Components

The analysis of Florence Baptistery pavement requires qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and diverse architectural survey techniques. The flooring presents possibilities for decoding shape, geometric roots, and symbolism. The research variables—the flooring geometric aspects—lay the groundwork for a hypothesis: "investigating the baptistery's flooring facilitates the reconstruction of its original shape and geometric components and enables an accurate interpretation of its symbolism". Through photogrammetric survey techniques, the symbolism in the baptistery's flooring was scrutinized and interpreted. The pavement geometric and formal recuperation, alongside the symbolic interpretation of other baptistery elements, the mullioned windows within the women's galleries—was undertaken to establish comparisons and contrasts with the flooring. The "recovery survey" proved instrumental in identifying the flooring constituents (compartments, slabs, tiles, and contour bands). It also unveiled the geometric procedures involved in shape generation (sequential juxtaposition, specular reflection, and splitting). Additionally, the survey facilitated an understanding of the origins of these modules (original, mirrored, and compositional). Furthermore, the process provided insights into the evolution of shapes, from basic geometric figures to more intricate and meaningful configurations (phytomorphic and zoomorphic). This theoretical and practical research methodology holds potential applicability to heritage buildings worldwide.