Friars turn to modern technology to repair 13th century basilica
A team of art historians and software engineers has joined forces with the Franciscan friars to try to complete the restoration of the Basilica of Saint Francis, which was damaged by earthquakes.
The Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, a 13th-century church in central Italy, has endured multiple earthquakes and art restoration challenges. Sergio Fusetti, an art restorer, has been struggling to catalog the over 80,000 fragments of the church's damaged frescoes and wall art. A team of art historians, software engineers, and Franciscan friars have joined forces to utilize modern technology and artificial intelligence to restore the basilica.
Haltadefinizione, a technology company, is creating a digital twin of the basilica using ultra-high-definition photography, drones, and lasers to capture every detail of the artwork. This digital twin will serve as a reconstruction roadmap for future earthquakes. The AI-powered project aims to speed up the restoration process, allowing restorers to identify and repair cracks, discoloration, and other issues that would take years to address manually.
The technology has also been used to explore and virtually reconstruct other historical sites, such as a Roman emperor's thermal bath. Friar Guiulio Cesareo, a longtime church student, sees the technology as a means to share the church's treasures with more people more efficiently.
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