Yesterday, the Vatican launched a groundbreaking initiative that combines advanced artificial intelligence (AI) with heritage preservation to enhance the visitor experience at St. Peter’s Basilica. Developed in collaboration with Microsoft and Iconem, a company specializing in digitalizing heritage sites, this project offers an unprecedented level of accessibility and interactivity for both physical and virtual visitors. The initiative aligns with the Vatican’s preparations for the Holy Year, or Jubilee, in 2025, when millions of pilgrims are expected to visit.
The project’s main feature is an AI-generated digital twin of St. Peter’s Basilica, created using cutting-edge technologies, including drones, cameras, and lasers. Over a span of four weeks, these devices captured more than 400,000 high-resolution images, amounting to a data set large enough to fill a six-kilometer-high stack of DVDs. This enormous volume of data was then processed by AI algorithms to create an ultra-precise 3D replica of the basilica, allowing people worldwide to explore its Renaissance architecture and artworks in remarkable detail.
Microsoft President Brad Smith emphasized the project’s role in bringing St. Peter’s Basilica to a broader audience and making it accessible to a new generation. This digital replica allows users to view areas of the basilica that are typically off-limits, including hidden artwork and the Roman tombs beneath the church. By offering a virtual visit, the project ensures that people from all over the world can appreciate the basilica’s splendor, even if they are unable to travel to Rome.
A key benefit of the digital twin is its potential to aid in preservation efforts. The AI-powered analysis of the basilica’s structure has already identified early signs of wear, such as cracks, missing mosaic pieces, and other forms of deterioration that are invisible to the naked eye. This information is crucial for planning and prioritizing restoration work, ensuring that this architectural marvel remains well-preserved for future generations.
Pope Francis, who has been an advocate for ethical AI use, expressed his appreciation for the project. He highlighted the importance of using modern technology to preserve historical treasures and make them accessible in new ways. In line with his vision, the Vatican’s approach aims to combine technological innovation with a sense of responsibility towards cultural heritage.
In addition to the digital twin, two AI-enhanced exhibitions will be hosted on-site at St. Peter’s Basilica. These exhibitions use the digital model to provide interactive experiences that allow visitors to learn more about the basilica’s history and artistic details. According to Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, the technology acts as a “telescope” that brings the basilica’s grandeur closer to viewers, likening the experience to gazing at a “starry sky on a summer night.”
This collaboration between an ancient institution and a modern tech company illustrates how tradition and innovation can work together harmoniously. Smith pointed out that similar digital twin projects, like those at Mont Saint-Michel in France and Ancient Olympia in Greece, show the potential of technology to bring new insights to historical sites.
The project also introduces a reservation system for visiting the basilica, a first for the iconic site. With this system, visitors can book specific entry times, reducing long lines and making the experience more enjoyable for everyone. This feature is expected to improve crowd management, especially during the upcoming Jubilee, when the basilica will welcome millions of additional pilgrims.
By combining AI and photogrammetry, the Vatican’s new initiative offers an innovative approach to experiencing and preserving one of the world’s most iconic religious landmarks. Through this project, St. Peter’s Basilica remains a living testament to history, faith, and now, technological advancement, ensuring that its beauty and cultural significance are accessible to people everywhere.
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