From the Quarry to the HBIM: Digital Preservation and Interdisciplinary Analysis of the Romanesque Church of São João de Calvos (Portugal) was awarded the Best Presentation Prize at ICA 2025: XIX International Conference on Archaeology, an international archaeology conference held in late September in Munich, Germany.
The presentation by Fabio Sitzia (HERCULES Laboratory – University of Évora / IN2PAST), responsible for the exploratory project that digitized the Guimarães chapel using Heritage Building Information Modelling tools, is the result of work developed with the researchers from Lab2PT Bruno Figueiredo, Filipe Brandão, Jorge Ribeiro (co-IR), Paulo Bernardes and Rebeca Blanco Rotea, as well as with Carla Fernandes (IHA – Institute of Art History), João B. Meneses de Sequeira (CHAIA) and José Mirão and Vera Pires (HERCULES).

 

 

World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences
Vol:19, No:09, 2025

Title: From the Quarry to the HBIM: Digital Preservation and Interdisciplinary Analysis of the Romanesque Church of São João de Calvos (Portugal)

Authors: Fabio Sitzia, Filipe Brandão, Paulo Bernardes, Carla Fernandes, Bruno Figueiredo, José Mirão, Vera Pires, Rebeca Rotea, João Sequeira, Jorge Ribeiro

Abstract: Romanesque architecture, which flourished in Portugal during the 11th and 12th centuries, represents a pivotal era in the country’s architectural and cultural history. Romanesque-style structures, particularly rural churches, face increasing challenges due to material degradation and evolving preservation needs, necessitating innovative, multidisciplinary approaches. The Church of São João de Calvos, designated a Property of Public Interest since 1955, is a key example of Romanesque heritage. Mentioned as Sancto Johanne de Calvos in the 1220 Inquiries of King Afonso II, it is in the historic Vermuy region, which vanished during the Middle Ages. This study leverages cutting-edge digital tools to explore its architectural history and guide its preservation. This research is the first to apply a comprehensive Heritage-BIM (HBIM) protocol to São João de Calvos. Using UAV photogrammetry and laser scanning, a detailed 3D model of the church was developed, capturing exterior and interior features with high precision. Beyond geometric data, the HBIM model integrates historical, archaeological, and material analyses, offering a multidimensional resource for conservation and education. Interactive layers within the 3D reconstruction provide to data such as material decay maps of the façade and walls according to the ICCROM abacus.
Keywords: architecture, geo-materials, archaeometry, archaeological stratigraphy
Conference Title: ICA 2025 : International Conference on Archaeology
Conference Location: Munich, Germany
Conference Dates: September 29-30, 2025