First results of 3D mapping Nessebar's ancient town revealed

The National Institute for Immovable Cultural Heritage (NIICH) of Bulgaria recently presented the first results of a 3D mapping project of the ancient town of Nessebar. With a history spanning over 3,000 years, predominantly dating back to the Hellenistic period, the town is renowned for its well-preserved ancient remnants. Notable features include the acropolis, a temple of Apollo, an agora, and remnants of the Thracian fortifications.

"Work on a large-scale 3D laser scanning project, utilizing a combination of various sensors to efficiently gather detailed and precise geospatial data, commenced in early March 2023. The entire street network was covered using a Leica Pegasus:Two mobile scanning system. Additionally, the exterior and interior of St. Stephen's Church were scanned using a Leica RTC 360 fast terrestrial laser scanner, while St. John's Church was captured with a Leica BLK360 handheld imaging laser scanner. Aerial photography will complement the church scans.

The benefits of 3D mapping for cultural heritage

This precise and extensive model is a first in Bulgaria and the Balkans, according to NIICH. The initiative was conceived by NIICH and supported by Leica Geosystems' official representative, Vekom Geo Bulgaria. The digital images faithfully represent the physical reality of Nessebar's ancient town, showcasing its complex geometric surfaces, colours, textures and geospatial data. The implementation of 3D imaging opens up new possibilities for documenting, monitoring and preserving immovable cultural heritage. NIICH highlights the usefulness of the digital images to archaeologists, architects, restorers, engineers, historians, art historians and building materials specialists who work towards preserving the authentic beauty of this historic town.

The Nessebar peninsula is a treasure trove of cultural layers dating as far back as the Bronze Age, encompassing over 120 individual immovable cultural assets. These assets embody the spirit of the ancient town, attracting travellers and tourists from all corners of the globe.