St. Peter Basilica: an Exciting Digital Twin of Immense Proportions
Digital twin of historical buildings contribute to safety and emergency management.
The Fabbrica di San Pietro, the institution responsible for the upkeep of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican, has recently unveiled a monumental project designed to make the digital twin of St. Peter’s Basilica. The model presented in St. Peter’s in mid-November 2024 made the Basilica accessible in a way never achieved before.
In a groundbreaking effort, the Fabbrica di San Pietro has coordinated the creation of an incredibly detailed 3D model of the iconic building, using a collection of 400,000 high-resolution images. So, every detail of the structure has been reached.
This ambitious initiative aims to provide a comprehensive digital representation of the basilica, offering unprecedented access for people around the world to explore the architectural marvel in virtual form.
This initiative allows users to explore the basilica remotely, including areas that are usually off-limits to the public. The project offers also an immersive experience for global audiences, enabling them to virtually visit one of the world’s most significant religious and architectural landmarks.
Over a three-week period, drones, lasers, and advanced photogrammetry techniques were employed to capture more than 400,000 high-resolution images of St. Peter’s Basilica.
The digital replica created through this project is not only a stunning visual representation of St. Peter’s Basilica, but also a crucial tool for conservation. It uncovers previously hidden architectural features and offers fresh insights into parts of the church that were once off-limits.
Early assessments of the model have already identified areas of structural damage and erosion, providing valuable information to guide future restoration efforts. Moreover, digital twin of historical buildings are expected to contribute to improve safety and emergency management.
Another interesting aspect of the initiative of the Fabbrica di San Pietro concerns the use of artificial intelligence (AI). According the Vatican press release, “Artificial intelligence permits us to admire this Basilica in a unique and innovative way, never seen before”.
Beyond its role in preservation, the digital twin also serves to engage a broader audience with the basilica’s rich history and beauty.
For those unable to visit Rome, the project offers a unique opportunity to explore the church virtually from anywhere in the world. Additionally, it provides scholars and conservationists with a new resource for studying the basilica’s structure, history, and ongoing preservation challenges.
The resources deployed to complete this project are not available to any manager of historic buildings. Nonetheless, it is important to underline that lidar surveys can be useful both for the maintenance and ordinary management of the safety of these buildings and for cases in which an emergency occurs.
In the post Digital twin and Historic buildings safety we previously identified why a digital twin obtained with lidar technologies can greatly increase the safety management capacity of an historical building, in ordinary or emergency conditions.
