HBIM approach for the knowledge and documentation of the St. John the Theologian cathedral in Nicosia (Cyprus)

This study presents the results of a joint interdisciplinary research project between The Science and Technology in Archaeology and Culture Research Center (STARC) of the Cyprus Institute in Cyprus and Survey and the Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture of the University of Catania in Italy. The research project assessed the application of the Heritage-Building Information Modelling (H-BIM) paradigm for the study of the architectural history and conservation state of the St. John the Theologian church, the orthodox cathedral of Nicosia, an important example of Cypriot historical heritage. Despite being an important example of Orthodox architecture and art during the period of Ottoman rule in Cyprus, the building remained largely under-studied until now. Completely covered with frescoes dating from the 18th century in its interior, the church was built in 1662 on the remains of an earlier monastery. The project's adopted methodology provided the framework for a dynamic investigation, constantly evolving along several dimensions: historical, geometric spatial, architectural-constructive identification and mapping of degrade, interpretation of degenerative causes and design proposals.