An Interactive 3d Application of a House From the Xvi Century in San Cristóbal De Laguna as a Case Study for the Dissemination of Cultural Heritage

Abstract

At the end of the XVI century, the historic centre of San Cristóbal de La Laguna was definitively configured as we know it today, as can be seen in the first preserved map of the city, drawn in 1588 by the engineer Leonardo Torriani. It is the first non-fortified Spanish colonial city and its plan has provided a model for the colonial cities of America, making it a UNESCO World Heritage site. The dissemination of this legacy is a task of great importance. A tool of increasing importance for the dissemination and preservation of history and cultural heritage are reconstructions and virtual recreations in 3D. This paper presents a case of the use of these tools for the dissemination of the city's heritage. The 3D modelling of one of the most characteristic types of housing in San Cristóbal de La Laguna in the 16th century is carried out along with the 3D modelling of human virtual characters all based on the historical documentation of that time. With these elements a WebGL application has been implemented in which a user can visit the virtually reconstructed house and receive information on the construction systems and architecture in the city on the XVI century.