Digital Strategies to Enhance Cultural Heritage Routes: From Integrated Survey to Digital Twins of Different European Architectural Scenarios

Abstract

This paper focuses on a research project for the acquisition and post-production of digital data to create informative virtual representations and digital twins of different European Cultural Heritage sites. The goal was to establish a reliable database for a multi-scalar web platform, also accessible through extended reality (XR) tools. This initiative aims to support the promotion and management of cultural and historical monuments within the context of European Cultural Routes supported by the Council of Europe. The project involves different case studies spanning European geographic regions, such as the Upper Kama in Russia, the Valencian Routes of Jaime I in Spain, and the Gdańsk fortresses in Poland. The methodology employed in this effort primarily relies on integrated rapid survey techniques. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) technologies were used for data collection. These methods contribute to the creation of accurate 3D databases and models that transform the cultural routes into a digital format accessible via an informative platform. The actions presented in this paper are part of the European project “PROMETHEUS”, which is funded by the Horizon 2020 program of the European Union. The project involves collaboration between universities and enterprises, fostering inter-sectoral cooperation. Various techniques such as photographic archives, census analysis, and scan-to-BIM (building information modeling) processes are employed to develop this method further. In fact, the ultimate goal of the project is to establish a framework that can be replicated in other cultural contexts, enhancing the digital documentation and valorization of heritage sites.