Photogrammetry and musealization
Arget TOÇILA | Elisa SGHERRI | Andrea PASQUALI
(Dipartimento di Architettura, Florence University, Florence, Italy)
Keywords: Albania, byzantine basilica, mosaics, photogrammetry, musealization
Abstract:
In Albania, as time passes, a larger part of the archeological heritage is discovered, but for many places there is still the need of a deeper exploration and a better musealization. This project studies a single link from the chain of monuments distributed through Via Egnatia, the antique pathway that connected Western with Eastern Roman Empire; beginning from Dyrrahu (Durrës, Albania) and ending in Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey). The focus of this research is on the medieval basilica of Lin, which is located on the top of a rocky appendix over the Ohër lake, Albania. The basilica features a composition of multilayer constructions from different periods, it reached its climax in the VI century under the Byzantine Empire. Because of its entire pavement covered in mosaics and its rare chapel typology, the basilica deserved further examination. Today the site lacks a protection from the weather and a structure that could make possible the access on the mosaics. This research initially consisted on the survey of the area, including the hill that creates a unique landscape on the lakeshore. The gathered data consist in more than 500 high quality photos captured manually, from several photos (with GPS data) and video shots taken from a UAV unit and a set of video shots in 360°. From this photogrammetric survey, a virtual 3D model has been built. This data provides a meaningful document for the preservation of the heritage and the base for further steps of the research. The project also encompasses the design of a pavilion that operates as a protective structure, which allows a musealization space for the heritage and includes recreational activities to broaden its fruition.