AI RECREATES BASILICA IN STUNNING DIGITAL DETAIL
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AI RECREATES BASILICA IN STUNNING DIGITAL DETAIL
Celebrated for its Renaissance and Baroque architecture and shaped by masters such as Michelangelo and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, St. Peter’ s Basilica is a globally-renowned masterpiece.
A collaborative project between the Vatican, Iconem and Microsoft has created an immersive digital experience that opens the Basilica to a global audience.
Using advanced photogrammetry and AI, Iconem captured more than 400,000 high-resolution images in just a few weeks, employing drones, cameras and laser scanning. These were processed and securely stored in Microsoft’ s cloud, forming an ultraprecise 3D digital twin of the building. AI tools enhanced visual detail and enabled analysis of structural issues such as cracks and missing tiles, supporting ongoing preservation.
The result is an interactive platform and exhibition that allows visitors to explore the Basilica in remarkable detail from anywhere in the world. It offers both a rich virtual experience and a way to safeguard one of the world’ s most significant cultural and spiritual landmarks for future generations.
Michaelangelo ' s Pieta sculpture in St Peter ' s Basilica