Kisha e Shna Ndout, Church of Laç
The Church of Laç is located in Northern Albania and is a religious site associated with St. Anthony Padua. The church was first built in the 13th century by the Byzantine Empire and showcased typical Byzantine architecture. However, in 1971, the church was partially destroyed by the communist regime led by Enver Hoxha. The church was destroyed in an attempt to suppress religion and religious sites. In 1990, following the fall of communism, the church was rebuilt by Albanians and Italian Vatican authorities. Today, the church is an important pilgrimage site in Albania, where over one million pilgrims visit the church every year. On the shrine's feast day on the 12th of June, pilgrims arrive and spend the whole night at the church to seek blessing and healing.
Kiyomizu Temple is the main sect of Japanese Buddhism Hosang Sect (Northern Sect). It is located in Kiyomizu in the Higashiyama District of Kyoto City. It covers an area of 130,000 square meters and was built in 778. Kiyomizu Temple is named after the clear water in the temple, and down the stone steps of the Okuin is Otowa Falls. The clear spring is divided into three, representing longevity, health, and wisdom. It is regarded as having magical powers. Tourists passing by here will definitely come. Drinking a sip of water is said to prevent diseases and disasters. According to legend, after the people of Yanzhen opened the mountain in 778, it was built in 798 by the general Sakagami Tamura Maro. Most of the existing buildings were built in 1633. The main hall, designated as a national treasure, is supported by 139 columns, which resembles a huge stage, also known as the "Shimizu Stage". Below the main hall are the famous "Otowa Falls" and the "Zi'an Pagoda" that prays for smooth delivery. The latter is listed as a world cultural heritage. Kiyomizu Temple is built on Otowa Mountain and is the main temple of the Northern Buddhist Sect of Japan. The temple is surrounded by historic sites in Kyoto. Cherry blossoms are in full bloom in spring and red leaves are like fire in autumn.
The ancient tie-dye pits located in Kano State, Nigeria, are a collection of man-made pits dating over six hundred years(1498) in which natural dyes are used by traditional artisans to dye textiles. The materials used for the dying are all natural. Potassium, Baba tree bark and Firewood ashes. The dyes only produce one colour which is Indigo Blue. The process of forming the dye can take up to 9 months. The pits are reused throughout this period as the older the dye formulation in the pit, the better the quality of the dye. The pits are used to dye the clothing of the royal families' in Kano. They are are known for producing vibrant colors and unique patterns, which are created by the various minerals found in the dye.
Komodo National Park is a UNESCO World heritage site in Indonesia which in 1980 was created by the Indonesian government in order to protect the komodo dragon (UNESCO World Heritage Centre, 2010). Komodo national park has over 1,000 species of tropical fish and notably around 5,700 komodo dragons who roam across the island. The Komodo national park utilises technology, notably a SMART system which enabled for increasing data collection and expanded patrol coverage. Subsequently, this resulted in greater wildlife monitoring meaning for effective conservation of species on the island (World, 2022). Moreover, surveillance cameras are utilised on the island to prevent the poaching of species, in particular to komodo dragon (Park, 2023). In relation to the United Nations sustainable development goals, Komodo National Park aligns with the goals of Goal 8: Life on Land as the park has wildlife monitoring tools such as SMART and GPS-enabled devices to aid the conservation of the komodo dragon. Moreover, it aligns with Goal 14 Life below water as patrolling teams cover marine areas and can monitor boats entering the Komodo National Park marine zone both fishing and tourist boats (World, 2022b). Moreover, Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth is another goal the park meets as park rangers promote sustainable tourism and bolster local employment opportunities and with visitors set to reach more than 1 million in 2025 the economic growth from visitors is positive alongside a new (Cosmos, 2024).
Komodo National Park, located in Indonesia, is a UNESCO World Heritage site established in 1980 to protect the endangered Komodo dragon and the park is home to approximately 5,700 Komodo dragons and over 1,000 species of tropical fish (UNESCO World Heritage Centre, 2010).Moreover, by 2000, around 1,200 people were living on Komodo island (WWF.Panda.org In 1991, Komodo was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site (WWF.Panda.org,) To support conservation, the park uses advanced technologies such as the SMART system, which enhances data collection and expands patrol coverage (World, 2022). This has vastly improved wildlife monitoring, ensuring the protection of key species like the Komodo dragon. Surveillance cameras are also used to prevent poaching and other illegal activities (Park, 2023). The use of digital interpretation on Komodo Island can facilitate the sustainable development targets of goal 15, life on land and goal 14 of life below water.
Kowloon Walled City was an ungoverned settlement in British-occupied Hong Kong. It evolved from a Chinese military output during the Song Dynasty (960-1279) into a densely populated urban enclave due to ambiguous jurisdictional boundaries after the Second World War. Without effective governance from China or Britain, the Walled City developed organically, with buildings constructed without official permits and businesses operating independently. By the late 1980s, it housed over 50,000 in a labyrinthine network of high-rise buildings characterised by poverty and crime (Fraser & Cheuk-Yin Li, 2017). It was demolished in 1993. The Walled City is portrayed in various video games such as Stray (2022) and Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010). Moreover, online archives of photographs and illustrations along with 3D digital reconstructions and animations continue to preserve its unique cultural legacy for audiences worldwide. Awareness of the complexities of Kowloon Walled City provides lessons on urban living, community resilience, and the importance of sustainable city development - thus contributing to Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Specifically, Target 11.4 can be addressed by ensuring continued recognition and appreciation of the site’s historical significance
Kowloon Walled City was an ungoverned settlement in British-occupied Hong Kong. It evolved from a Chinese military output during the Song Dynasty (960-1279) into a densely populated urban enclave due to ambiguous jurisdictional boundaries after the Second World War. Without effective governance from China or Britain, the Walled City developed organically, with buildings constructed without official permits and businesses operating independently. By the late 1980s, it housed over 50,000 in a labyrinthine network of high-rise buildings characterised by poverty and crime (Fraser & Cheuk-Yin Li, 2017). It was demolished in 1993. The Walled City is portrayed in various video games such as Stray (2022) and Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010). Moreover, online archives of photographs and illustrations along with 3D digital reconstructions and animations continue to preserve its unique cultural legacy for audiences worldwide. Studying the social structures and informal governance systems within Kowloon Walled City can shed light on addressing inequalities and promoting inclusion in urban settings to address Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.
An aerial photo of the Kowloon Walled City taken in 1989. The new park which was laid out at the site of the former Sai Tau Tsuen squatter settlement is visible at the south edge of the city.
Formerly the most densely populated area in the world, initially built as a military fort to report on the British during their colonization of Hong Kong. Afterwards it kept growing and became a non-governed area, attracting refugees and people with no where else to go. Firstly, the actual historical conditions of the city, as a “lawless slum” in addition to being the most densely populated area in recorded history, holds value as an example of urban density and self-organization contrasted with current standards. Furthermore, the Walled City was during an Hong Kong’s its colonization to Britian, as a means for the Chinese to keep watch on the British (Roos). Lastly, the walled city is also a point of interest for pop culture, particularly the “cyberpunk” genre. Currently, the Kowloon Walled City is being digitally preserved in some capacity, through virtual reality. However, unlike the other two examples, what is being preserved is not a one-to-one representation of the former city, but rather the essence of its aesthetics. This is done through digital media, utilizing the city as an inspiration for settings in video games (Bedingfield), as well as being settings within films. This improves the sustainable goal of education by informing of the existence of the walled city, and its cultural impact. ely populated area in the world, initially built as a military fort to report on the British during their colonization of Hong Kong. Afterwards it kept growing and became a non-governed area, attracting refugees and people with no where else to go.
Culture,Immovable Culture Heritage,Intangible Heritage
Formerly the most densely populated area in the world, initially built as a military fort to report on the British during their colonization of Hong Kong. Afterwards it kept growing and became a non-governed area, attracting refugees and people with no where else to go. Firstly, the actual historical conditions of the city, as a “lawless slum” in addition to being the most densely populated area in recorded history, holds value as an example of urban density and self-organization contrasted with current standards. Furthermore, the Walled City was during an Hong Kong’s its colonization to Britian, as a means for the Chinese to keep watch on the British (Roos). Lastly, the walled city is also a point of interest for pop culture, particularly the “cyberpunk” genre. Currently, the Kowloon Walled City is being digitally preserved in some capacity, through virtual reality. However, unlike the other two examples, what is being preserved is not a one-to-one representation of the former city, but rather the essence of its aesthetics. This is done through digital media, utilizing the city as an inspiration for settings in video games (Bedingfield), as well as being settings within films. This improves the sustainable goal of education by informing of the existence of the walled city, and its cultural impact.
Kramat of Sheik Sayed Abduraghman Motura
In the 1600s, the Dutch started used the Cape area as an exile location for political prisoners from Malaysia and Indonesia, often wealthy, powerful Muslim men. During the 18th century, a political prisoner from Batavia (modern day Jakarta) named Sayed Abdurahman Motura was imprisoned on the island. He was a very devout religious man who brought comfort to other prisoners, and was said to help cure them when they were ill, as well as spreading Islam. He died on the island and his grave became a shrine. Kramats are a type of shrine, honouring the death of a holy person in Islam. They are particularly associated in South Africa with the early Muslims in the Cape due to them being brought there by the Dutch - kramat is a Malay word referring to a shrine to a sacred person. In the late 1960s, the Apartheid-era prison authorities built the Kramat there today. This was due to an attempt to appease the Cape Muslim population after the imprisonmennt and death in custody of Imam Abdullah Haron. He was a Muslim cleric and anti-Apartheid activist, and in 1969, became the first Muslim to be honoured in St Paul's Cathedral.
The sacred pushkarani, or tank, located on the eastern side of Krishna temple in Hampi, India, seen in early morning light. An example of water tank design of the Vijayanagar Empire.
Kulangsu is an island in the city of Xiamen in China. Kulangsu Island is existed since 3000 years ago, from the 8th-century people started to live on this island. In 1903 with the opening of the commercial port, this island started to become an international settlement. The architecture in Kulangsu is a fusion of styling of the Fujian and western styles. From 1843 the western-style architecture began to appear on this island. In the 20th century, the residents started hiring foreign architects to build stylish villas on the island. Although some of the buildings had slightly destroyed World War 2, most of the buildings were well preserved. Apart from this, Kulangsu is also a cradle of music. Hundreds of musicians were born and raised in Kulangsu. Almost every family on this island owns pianos in their home. So this island is also known as the island of music. This island also holds a piano museum, with many traditional pianos here. All the culture and artefact elements made Kulangsu a special exist in the city.
Culture,Immovable Culture Heritage,Intangible Heritage,Tourism
Kumbum Monastery is also called Ta'er Temple (Tibetan: སྐུ་འབམ་ྱམསཔགིང་) is located in lushar Town, Huangzhong County, 25 km southwest of Xining City, Qinghai Province, China. Founded in 1560, it is one of the six temples of Gelu sect in Tibetan Buddhism and the birthplace of zongkaba, the founder of Gelu sect. It is the activity center of Tibetan Buddhism in Northwest China, and enjoys a high reputation in China and Southeast Asia. The central government of all dynasties highly praised the religious status of Ta'er temple. Butter flower, murals and embroidery are known as the "three unique arts of Ta'er Temple". In addition, many Buddhist classics and academic monographs on history, literature, philosophy, medicine and legislation are also collected in the temple. The Buddhist activities held every year "four Dharma meetings" are more lively and extraordinary. The tular temple is also vivid and famous for its crispy sculpture.
Kunqu Opera, a classical Chinese drama form, originated in the early Ming Dynasty and showcases a blend of singing, acting, recitation, and martial arts. It reflects deep philosophical and ethical concepts through its narratives, serving as a vital carrier of Chinese culture. With the rise of digital technology, Kunqu Opera has embraced modern methods to reach broader audiences. Productions like "The Legend of the White Snake - Love" utilize 4K technology, enhancing visual appeal and attracting contemporary viewers. Additionally, digital tools have helped preserve traditional Gongche notation by facilitating its access and distribution through platforms like gongchepu.net. By promoting cultural innovation and infrastructure through digital platforms, it aligns with Goal 9. It also supports Goal 4 by using immersive technologies like VR and 4K to engage and educate younger generations. Furthermore, these digital advancements help achieve Goal 10 by making cultural education more accessible, thereby reducing inequalities in cultural appreciation and knowledge.
Kun Qu opera_Performance at the Peking University
Kun Qu opera. Performance at the Peking University
Kunqu Opera is one of the oldest operas in China and a treasure of traditional Chinese culture and art. Kunqu Opera was born in Kunshan, Jiangsu Province, China in the mid-14th century. With a history of more than 600 years, Kunqu Opera has inspired and nurtured many local operas, so it is called "the mother of all operas". Kunqu Opera was listed by UNESCO as a "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" in 2001. The most attractive thing about Kunqu Opera is two points. First, it is highly literary. Audiences who love classical literature will easily understand the beauty and elegance of Kunqu Opera. The second point is that the performance of Kunqu Opera is comprehensive and well-rounded, combining poetry, singing, dancing and drama.
La Almoloya is a palace in southern Spain made by the Argaric society. The Argarics were a Bronze Age culture overall characterised by a complex settlement system, with urban centres and monumental structures, a division of labor, political boundaries and institutionalised violence. They are also known for women being buried with elaborate grave goods. La Almoloya itself sits atop a hill overlooking forests. All that remain are the stone indicating the foundations of the structure. This site is important to further the United Nation's sustainability goal of improving gender equality because it shows how women may have also had political and social power in a state-based hierarchical society. Therefore, this can empower women and question traditional views of gender and power.
Nestled in the heart of Barcelona, the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia stands as a monumental testament to the genius of Antoni Gaudí, one of the most innovative architects of the modern era. Conceived in 1882 and still under construction, this majestic structure embodies Gaudí's unique approach to Art Nouveau, merging Gothic and curvilinear Art Nouveau forms. In 1984, it was registered as a United Nations World Heritage under the name "Works of Antoni Gaudí". The Sagrada Familia is not merely a church but a canvas of Christian narrative and Catalan identity carved into stone and glass. Gaudí's design is replete with curves that defy traditional architectural lines, reflecting his belief that there are no straight lines or sharp corners in nature. Through these sinuous forms, often referred to as "curves for God," Gaudí sought to bring a slice of the divine to earth, capturing the essence of sacred geometry and the organic patterns of nature. Digital interpretation can significantly address the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11.4, which is Enhancing Accessibility and Education. Via Digital tools and platforms, such as virtual tours, augmented reality (AR), and interactive apps, La Sagrada Familia can be more accessible to a global audience. People who cannot physically visit the site due to geographic, economic, or physical constraints can still explore its architectural beauty and historical significance. This increased accessibility helps educate a broader audience about the importance of cultural preservation and the architectural innovations of Antoni Gaudí. Digital interpretation tools can also promote the integration of cultural heritage into sustainable urban development plans. They allow policymakers, educators, and tourists to recognize the value of cultural heritage, encouraging more responsible tourism and sustainable management practices that respect and preserve historic sites.
Laconia Acropolis Virtual Archaeology (LAVA) Project
The Laconia Acropolis Virtual Archaeology project (LAVA) is a cooperative archaeological learning environment developed to address the need for students to be able to engage with realistic archaeological excavation scenarios. The practice of fieldwork lies at the heart of archaeology, yet poses particular problems for the learning of the subject. The opportunities for students to gain real-world fieldwork experience are limited. Even when available, the roles that students can play, and responsibilities that they can take, are constrained. The system helps students collaborate in exploring virtual archaeological excavations and facilitates their construction of an improved understanding of the subject.
This video was created in conjunction with Perth & Kinross Heritage Trust and the University of St Andrews, School of Computer Science, Open Virtual Worlds Research Team as a Student Project in the Summer of 2019. For more information on the project, visit http://pkht.org.uk/projects/current-projects/glenshee/. Glenshee, in north-east Perth and Kinross, is a beautiful and distinctive landscape that is remarkably rich in archaeological remains - from prehistoric stone circles and burial cairns to Pictish longhouses, and the fermtouns and sheilings of the 19th century. The Glenshee Archaeology Project was developed by Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust and delivered in partnership with Northlight Heritage between 2012 and 2017. Through ‘citizen science’, the project aimed to address the neglected narrative of north-east Perth and Kinross, uncover the fascinating story of prehistoric and early historic life in Glenshee and share this with residents and visitors. The initial thrust of the project was concerned with the so-called 'Pitcarmick' style buildings in the uplands around the glen and investigated several rare Pictish turf and stone longhouses dating to around 500-1000 AD. It also explored related features of the wider landscape, such as clearance cairns, trackways and boundaries. The Pitcarmick buildings were first identified in the uplands of north-east Perthshire in the late 1980's (RCAHMS 1990). Their date, function and relationship to other archaeological sites remains poorly understood, as very few have been excavated, the notable exception being the site in Strathardle (Carver et al 2013) from which the group takes its name. The site-type is important as early medieval buildings are rarely found elsewhere in Scotland, with the exception of Viking settlement in the Outer Isles (ScARF 2010). Like Pitcarmick, the Lair site comprises a relatively dispersed settlement of long-houses around an earlier prehistoric settlement (itself consisting of round houses of probable late Bronze Age or possibly Iron Age date). These are all set around a ring-cairn of probable earlier Bronze Age date.
Though they are not a single piece of heritage, bothies represent a broader historical and cultural phenomenon in the United Kingdom, especially Northern England and Scotland. A bothy is a rudimentary shelter in the wilderness which is typically only accessible on foot. Many bothies originally served as shelters for gamekeepers and estate workers, though now they are most commonly used recreationally by hikers. Underpinning the use of bothies is the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, which set legal standards for the long running tradition of free access to privately owned land in Scotland. The largest concentration of bothies can be found in the Scottish Highlands. Excerpt from P1.
The Kenya Lake System, which is located in the Great Rift Valley, covers three of Africa’s most spectacular lakes. The gross area is about 320 km2. It has a complicated and changeable landform, steaming and hot spring, and massive flocks of flamingos for its inhabitants. Lakes Nakuru, one of the parts of the Kenya Lake System, is designated National Park and also the protecting habitats of many wild species, and most of them are endangered. Kinds of birds flourish this place, as do warthogs, baboons, black rhino, the greater kudu and so many mammal animals. The most famous species here are flamingos. At the most time of the year, up to 4 million Lesser Flamingos live here, which make the lake a significant wildlife spectacle.
Wesermarsch with a tradition in cultural heritage (North Sea spirit as a typical coastal zone region) has a strong record of museums and local arts & crafts centers. Its traditional character is technical craftsmanship/construction knowledge, which still is the case with the presence of world leading companies in aircraft and ship building. The organisation works with the interface between culture and economics, how to use and to focus local competences increasing regional attractiveness.
One of the surviving copies of the Lanting ji preface is said to be a copy by Feng Chengsu of the Tang dynasty. The surviving ink copies of the Lanting Preface are most famous for their "Shen Long Ben", which was named "Shen Long Ben" because of the small seal of the year of Li Xian, Emperor Zhongzong of Tang, at the beginning of the volume, and because the seal of Shen Long was only the left half, or "Shen Long Half Seal Ben ", to distinguish it from other copies. This copy is now in the Palace Museum, Beijing.
Larger 55 meter Western Buddha (before 2001)
The Lascaux Cave was discovered in 1940 and forms part of the Decorated Caves of the Vézère Valley in southwestern France. This site has helped to inform people about the present day on “prehistoric art and human origins” (Lascaux, 2022). The Vézère Valley contains 25 decorated caves, and a total of 147 prehistoric sites which are of particular interest from an ethnological, anthropological, and aesthetic viewpoint (UNESCO, 2022). The Lascaux cave has been of great importance due to the prehistoric art found within it, which includes detailed depictions of hunting, and “are remarkable for their detail, rich colors, and lifelike quality” (UNESCO, 2022). As well as the artwork found within the cave, other artifacts from the Palaeolithic age have been discovered; including charcoal fragments, bone material, decorative objects, and tools (Lascaux, 2022). Due to the sensitive nature of the artwork, a replica cave has been created of Lascaux to allow visitors to have a viewer experience closely matched to what they would see when visiting the real Lascaux cave.
The ancient streets of Yixian County, located in Anhui Province, China, come alive every year with a vibrant Lantern Festival that illuminates the historic Huizhou-style buildings. During the festival, hundreds of handmade lanterns—crafted in traditional forms and materials—are displayed along narrow stone-paved streets, transforming the town into a glowing corridor of cultural expression. These lanterns carry deep symbolic meaning, representing prosperity, reunion, and ancestral respect, while embodying the artistic craftsmanship passed down through generations. The festival fuses tangible and intangible heritage: the fixed architectural setting of Yixian’s grey-walled, tile-roofed buildings and the living cultural practice of lantern-making, storytelling, and communal celebration. Digital heritage tools—such as nighttime 360° mapping, oral history recordings, and augmented reality projections—can capture the multi-sensory experience of this event and ensure its transmission to younger audiences. This project supports SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, as it promotes local identity, heritage-based tourism, and the preservation of community traditions.
Culture,Immovable Culture Heritage,Tourism
The Great Laxey Mine Railway is now a part of the Manx Electric Railway. It is a historic narrow-gauge railway located in the village of Laxey on the Isle of Man. The railway served the Great Laxey Mine, which was once one of the largest lead and zinc mines in the world. The railway was built in the late 19th century to transport ore and miners to and from the mine. Today, the railway is a popular tourist attraction and serves as a reminder of the island's mining heritage. The railway is an important part of the Isle of Man's cultural heritage and represents the island's industrial history.
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
Aerial photography of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. White sand dunes meet seasonal rainwater lagoons, creating an extraordinary desert-like landscape interspersed with freshwater pools.
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, located in the northeastern state of Maranhão, Brazil, is a unique protected area where vast, white sand dunes meet seasonal rainwater lagoons, creating an extraordinary desert-like landscape interspersed with freshwater pools. Spanning over 1,500 square kilometers, the park lies within the transition zone of the Amazon and Caatinga biomes and supports rich biodiversity, including fish, amphibians and migratory birds that take refuge in its lagoons during the rainy season. Despite its arid appearance, Lençóis Maranhenses is shaped by complex hydrological and ecological processes, with its lagoons replenished by rainfall and sustained by an underlying water table. This digital representation of Lençóis Maranhenses aims to showcase the park’s stunning natural beauty while raising awareness of the ecological sensitivity of this environment. As climate change threatens rainfall patterns and unregulated tourism poses risks to the landscape, public engagement becomes essential for its conservation. This contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land, promoting the sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems and supporting local conservation efforts by promoting appreciation and responsible tourism in this rare and fragile habitat.
Hongcun, located in Anhui Province, China, is a picturesque ancient village renowned for its well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty architecture. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hongcun is celebrated for its unique layout resembling an ox, with the nearby pond symbolizing the ox's stomach and the bridges representing its intestines. The village is famous for its intricate wooden carvings, elegant ancestral halls, and tranquil waterways lined with willow trees. The centerpiece of Hongcun is the iconic Moon Pond, reflecting the surrounding traditional buildings and creating a scene of timeless beauty. Visitors to Hongcun can immerse themselves in its rich history, stroll along cobblestone lanes, and admire the harmonious blend of architecture and natural landscape. With its idyllic charm and cultural significance, Hongcun offers a serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of modern life, inviting travelers to step back in time and experience the essence of traditional Chinese village life.
The Leshan Giant Buddha, located in Sichuan Province, China, is the world’s largest stone Buddha statue, standing 71 meters tall. It was carved into a cliff at the meeting point of three rivers — the Min, Dadu, and Qingyi — during the Tang Dynasty, from 713 to 803 AD. Initiated by the monk Haitong, it was built both as a religious symbol and to calm dangerous waters for passing boats. Next to the Buddha, Mount Emei is a vital site for ecological research and conservation. In 1996, UNESCO listed both the Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei as a World Heritage Site, recognizing their combined cultural and natural value. Over time, the Buddha has suffered from erosion and human activity. To protect it, authorities now use 3D scanning and AI to detect cracks and biological damage. These advanced technologies help create precise restoration plans, ensuring the long-term preservation of this cultural treasure, in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 11.
Supermodel Liu Wen wears Li ethnic clothing in a fashion shoot for Wallpaper magazine.
An increasing amount of tourist attractions in Rome are using multiple methods of digital preservation and promotion. The excavated spaces now contain modern technology including high-resolution projectors which supplement the existing remains with meticulously precise light displays that highlight interesting features that are long gone. This has outlined and restored significant missing details of buildings, paintings, mosaics and frescoes as reported in the Apollo Magazine. Amongst the tourist attractions, the ruins of ancient Roman houses discovered under Palazzo Valentini have been publicly exhibited, contributing to Rome's extremely extensive historical and cultural legacy. As stated on the Palazzo Valentini website, a team of art historians, archaeologists, and architects from the Provincial Administration, collaborated on a project to study, preserve, and publicly display these excavations. Glimmering lights fill the marble bathtub of the ancient home in the cellar, bringing light and vibrant colours back to what was, until recently, a gloomy underground environment. The history of "Domus" has been recreated by an expert team of specialists using interactive replications and reconstructions, graphics, and video clips projected onto old buildings that once belonged to rich families. Various elaborate mosaics, wall decorations, relics, paving stones, and other items were included in the houses. Other sites use VR and AR reconstructions which immerse the viewer in a constructed 3D model of the existing ruin using headsets. To provide the feeling of complete immersion in the 3D reconstruction, a couple of stereoscopic screens and motion sensors are used to map and refresh the view to create a seamless experience. The digital restoration of Trajan's column allows visitors to look closely at bas-reliefs which explain the history of Trajan's military campaign: the liberation of Dacia, now in Romania. This is a perfect example of how cultural heritage can be regenerated and transformed by careful and intentional digital preservation and promotion to enrich and educate all visitors through modern methods.
The origins of the quarry link back to the early Dutch occupation of the island, where limestone from the quarry was used to build the Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town, using prison labour to mine the stone. Throughout the Apartheid-era use of the site, prisoners were forced to work at the quarry. The rock was sometimes used for the island's roads, but was primarily used as a tool to occupy the prisoners' time. This was hard, manual labour in the heat and blinding conditions. Nelson Mandela was one of the prisoners who worked in this quarry, and his eyesight was permenantly damaged due to the blinding conditions of bright sun and white limestone. Today, the Stones of Rememberance mark the site as a symbol of what the prisoners experienced. The cairn was started by Nelson Mandela and fellow ex-prisoners during a reunion on the island after the end of Apartheid, in 1995.
The ruins of Linlithgow Palace are situated in the town of Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland, 15 miles (24 km) west of Edinburgh. The palace was one of the principal residences of the monarchs of Scotland in the 15th and 16th centuries, and the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. Although maintained after Scotland’s monarchs left for England in 1603, the palace was little used, and was burned out in 1746. It is now a visitor attraction in the care of Historic Scotland. An earlier reconstruction of Linlithgow Palace undertaken by Education Scotland and Historic Scotland is now being developed further by ourselves, we have further developed the Palace model and added more detailed terrain data.
This square keep castle sits on the tidal island "Castle Island". Climate Impacts: Coastal erosion, fluvial flooding, coastal flooding, groundwater flooding, slope instability
Based on information gathered December 31st 1944.
Loch na h-Airde - Viking Dockyard on Skye
Loch na h-Airde Viking Dockyard - The 12th c. Viking Dockyard on Skye
Our Viking Dockyard reconstruction was part of an exclusive video ' Skye Story' created for the AROS Centre on Skye. Cupido started 1st of September 2018. As part of the 'Skye Story', we reconstructed various periods to tell the story of evolution on the island of Skye. The project's overall objective is to develop new business opportunities in the cultural and cultural heritage sector around the North Sea, to reinforce the economic position, competitiveness and social cohesion of local rural communities in areas with a declining population. CUPIDO intends to strengthen a viable and sustainable future economy, based on the social historic role and core qualities and values of the involved regions, cities and local communities. CUPIDO is co-funded by the North Sea Region Programme 2014-2020. The partnership has 14 partners from 7 regions in 6 countries around the North Sea. All in regions with an ageing population, due to both urbanisation and changing demography, and with municipalities that struggle to maintain a basic level of services and common functions. The new approach is to lift forward culture as a driver in local & regional development policies and to explore its potential. Culture in the context of CUPIDO is cultural activities (art, dance, music) as well as cultural heritage. The project's overall objective is to develop new business opportunities in the cultural and cultural heritage sector around the North Sea, to reinforce the economic position, competitiveness and social cohesion of local rural communities in areas with a declining population. The project intends to strengthen a viable and sustainable future economy, based on the social historic role and core qualities and values of the involved regions, cities and local communities. CUPIDO is mainly about the commercialisation of the cultural sector that contributes towards creating vibrant, sustainable rural municipalities/communities that attract people to live, work and enjoy life. The project offers its partners an opportunity to jointly share resources, knowledge and expertise to commercialise the cultural sector. It enables insight into new business approaches, stimulates the development of products and services, and aims at an average of five new start-ups per area and support to existing SME's. Follow CUPIDO in social media #cupidoNSR.
A 13th-14th century medieval hall-house turned tower house on a peninsula very close to the coast. Climate Impact: Coastal erosion, fluvial flooding, coastal flooding, groundwater flooding, slope instability
A photo from 1966 showing the Lock Gates at St Andrews Harbour.
Loggerhead sea turtle with diver in the background, Fernando de Noronha Marine National Park
A loggerhead sea turtle in Fernando de Noronha Marine National Park, Pernambuco, Brazil. These turtles are listed as vulnerable due to threats such as bycatch, habitat degradation and climate change. Fernando de Noronha serves as a crucial feeding and nesting area for several sea turtle species, protected under strict conservation regulations. Encounters like this highlight the importance of marine protected areas in supporting biodiversity and fostering sustainable ecotourism practices.
Scale site map and longhouse construction.
Mosfell longhouse animation of the construction.
Mosfell Longhouse site plan with floors anf features.
Longmen Grottoes, located near Luoyang in Henan Province, is one of the most famous ancient Buddhist sculptural sites in China. The site was first constructed in 493 AD during the Northern Wei Dynasty and continued to be expanded and improved during the Tang and Song Dynasties. The grottoes contain over 100,000 statues, with the largest measuring over 17 meters in height. In addition to the sculptures, the grottoes are also adorned with inscriptions and carvings that provide valuable insights into Chinese art, religion, and history. Climate change could have a significant impact on the preservation of Longmen Grottoes. The site is particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall, flooding, and high temperatures, all of which are projected to increase in frequency and intensity with climate change. These events could lead to erosion, deterioration of the sculptures, and damage to the grottoes' rock walls. In addition, changes in humidity and temperature could create conditions that promote the growth of moss and other vegetation, which could further damage the sculptures and inscriptions. To protect this important cultural heritage site, it is crucial to monitor and understand the impacts of climate change and take appropriate measures to mitigate them.
The Longmen Grottoes are a collection of Buddhist cave temples and statues located in Luoyang, China, dating back to the Northern Wei dynasty (386-535 AD) and the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD). The grottoes contain over 100,000 Buddhist statues and carvings. The works of humans and nature have been harmoniously unified and the landscapes possess high integrity. The two sculptural art styles, the earlier “Central China Style” and the later “Great Tang Style” had great influence within the country and throughout the world, and have made important contributions to the development of the sculptural arts in other Asian countries. The sculptures and reliefs were created over a period of several centuries and represent a blend of Chinese and Indian Buddhist artistic traditions. The Longmen Grottoes have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000 for their “outstanding artistic value” and their “testimony to the cultural tradition of Buddhist influence in China.” Digital technology has been used to enhance the preservation and accessibility of the Longmen Grottoes. For example, people use 3D scanning and printing technology that allowed for the creation of detailed replicas of the sculptures, which can be used for study and display purposes.
The Longmen Grottoes (simplified Chinese: 龙门石窟; traditional Chinese: 龍門石窟; pinyin: Lóngmén Shíkū; lit. 'Dragon's Gate Grottoes') or Longmen Caves are some of the finest examples of Chinese Buddhist art. Housing tens of thousands of statues of Shakyamuni Buddha and his disciples, they are located 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) south of present-day Luoyang in Henan province, China. The images, many once painted, were carved as outside rock reliefs and inside artificial caves excavated from the limestone cliffs of the Xiangshan (香山) and Longmenshan, running east and west. The Yi River (Chinese: 伊河) flows northward between them and the area used to be called Yique (伊阙; 'The Gate of the Yi River').
The Longmen Grottoes (simplified Chinese: 龙门石窟; traditional Chinese: 龍門石窟; pinyin: Lóngmén Shíkū; lit. 'Dragon's Gate Grottoes') or Longmen Caves are some of the finest examples of Chinese Buddhist art. Housing tens of thousands of statues of Shakyamuni Buddha and his disciples, they are located 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) south of present-day Luoyang in Henan province, China. The images, many once painted, were carved as outside rock reliefs and inside artificial caves excavated from the limestone cliffs of the Xiangshan (香山) and Longmenshan, running east and west. The Yi River (Chinese: 伊河) flows northward between them and the area used to be called Yique (伊阙; 'The Gate of the Yi River'). The alternative name of "Dragon's Gate Grottoes" derives from the resemblance of the two hills that check the flow of the Yi River to the typical "Chinese gate towers" that once marked the entrance to Luoyang from the south.[4] There are as many as 100,000 statues within the 2,345 caves, ranging from 1 inch (25 mm) to 57 feet (17 m) in height. The area also contains nearly 2,500 stelae and inscriptions, hence the name "Forest of Ancient Stelae", as well as over sixty Buddhist pagodas. Situated in a scenic natural environment, the caves were dug from a 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) stretch of cliff running along both banks of the river. 30% date from the Northern Wei and 60% from the Tang dynasty, caves from other periods accounting for less than 10% of the total.[3] Starting with the Northern Wei dynasty in 493 AD, patrons and donors included emperors, Wu Zetian, members of the royal family, other rich families, generals, and religious groups.