Terrestrial laser scanning for heritage conservation:the Cologne Cathedral documentation project

Terrestrial laser scanning and photogrammetric imaging systems offer a precise, objective method for documenting complex heritage structures, enabling digital preservation and aiding conservation efforts. The Cologne Cathedral documentation project, a collaboration between Heriot-Watt University, Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, and the Metropolitankapitel der Hohen Domkirche Köln Dombauhütte, demonstrates the effectiveness of these technologies in capturing detailed 3D representations of culturally significant sites like the Gothic masterpiece. This digital record serves as a timeless virtual archive, supporting educational and scholarly use while providing critical data for structural analysis and repair. The project highlights the potential of advanced scanning techniques to revolutionize heritage conservation by offering high-resolution, non-invasive documentation.

Pritchard, D., Sperner, J., Hoepner, S., & Tenschert, R. (2017). Terrestrial laser scanning for heritage conservation: the Cologne Cathedral documentation project. ISPRS Annals of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, IV-2/W2, 213–220. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-annals-iv-2-w2-213-2017