Starting in December, a virtual portal will reveal every corner of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome through 400,000 AI-processed images. This unprecedented project enables a detailed exploration of the monument, set to celebrate its 400th anniversary in 2026.
The public will soon be able to access every detail of St. Peter’s Basilica through a virtual portal, thanks to 400,000 images of the monument analyzed by artificial intelligence, according to a project presented Monday at the Vatican. Starting December 1, visitors to the basilica's official website will discover a digital reconstruction of its historical evolution, from ancient Rome to the present-day structure. Additionally, exhibition rooms within the basilica will offer visitors an immersive experience into the site's rich history.
This portal will include a virtual tour of the basilica, allowing viewers to explore the Vatican grottoes and the majestic dome above the edifice. In preparation for this project, the Vatican collaborated with Microsoft, which digitally reconstructed the architecture, paintings, and sculptures of the basilica using images captured by drones. After two years of work, a "digital twin" was created, described as a "one-of-a-kind project" by Microsoft President Brad Smith.
AI technology enabled the processing of the immense data from these 400,000 images, forming a "giant patchwork" that captures every intricate detail.
Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of the basilica, noted that the project aims to "decode for a contemporary audience the blend of history, art, and spirituality that makes St. Peter’s unique." In addition to virtual exploration, the site will allow visitors to reserve a visit based on expected crowds, in anticipation of the Jubilee year of 2025, a holy year proclaimed by Pope Francis.
Covering 2.3 hectares and accommodating over 60,000 people, St. Peter's is the world’s largest Catholic church. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it houses the tomb of St. Peter, traditionally considered the first bishop of Rome.
Built on the site of the original basilica founded by Emperor Constantine I, St. Peter's was constructed from 1506 to 1626, following designs by Bramante, Michelangelo, Maderno, and Bernini.
The official website of the basilica:
https://www.basilicasanpietro.va/fr.html
With AFP
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