University of Palermo, Department of Architecture : Palermo Norman Treasure. iHERITAGE: ICT Mediterranean Platform for UNESCO Cultural Heritage B_A.2.1_0056,, ENI CBC MED program 2014-2020

Time, Spaces and Existence of the Normans in Palermo and the surrounding area during the 12th century were investigated by the Department of Architecture research group involved in iHERITAGE, a project aiming to improve the sustainable enjoyment of UNESCO world heritage listed sites lying on the shores of the Mediterranean through the development of innovative VR/AR products. The UNESCO site of “Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale” was established in 2015 and investigated by means of innovative survey techniques, tailor-designed for the purpose of data gathering and hologram generation, the lat-ter being a most attractive display form for virtual content. The University of Palermo research staff produced 3D models of buildings, gardens, masterpieces of goldsmithing and fine caskets in view of developing Virtual Rooms granting people with disabilities virtual access to the such parts of built heritage complexes not easily accessed in the reality as crypts, terraces, qanāts - i.e. the underground channel aqueducts built by the Arabs in Palermo and later used by the Normans to power the fountains and fishponds in their sub-urban mansions, then known by the term sollatia).