The Corner Tower of Anagni Cathedral: Geometry and Equilibrium

This paper explores the corner tower of the Anagni Cathedral, a Romanesque structure built in the eleventh and thirteenth centuries. The tower, located beneath the baptistery, was likely constructed to support a small chapel with a font. Through digital surveying and geometric analysis, this study examines the tower's structural element and speculates on the ideal stereotomic apparatus and reference models. The paper also delves into the mechanism responsible for maintaining the cantilevering structure's equilibrium. The tower and baptistery exemplify the role of stereotomy and friction in maintaining equilibrium, with internal tensile forces and unilateral contact between the structure's blocks. This study provides valuable insights into the Anagni Cathedral's structural elements and highlights the importance of understanding stereotomy and friction principles.