Digital documentation and dissemination of the Via Crucis of the Convent of Nossa Senhora da Arrábida, Portugal

Abstract

This research presents the documentation and dissemination of 7 chapels belonging to the Convent of Nossa Senhora da Arrábida in Portugal. These were part of the Via Crucis processions practiced between the 16th to 19th centuries. Within this scope, the research encompasses several interrelated objectives. Firstly, to create as-found condition models of these chapels using Historic Building Information Modeling (HBIM) for the convent's management and restoration efforts. Secondly, it virtually reconstructs the sequence of the Via Crucis chapels utilizing diverse historical sources and physical evidence. Ultimately, the research enhances the comprehension of the convent's historical and spiritual importance to lay the groundwork for a virtual experience that mirrors the Via Crucis once practiced by the friars. This will enrich visitors' knowledge of the convent by offering interactive elements that complement existing guided visits and contribute to building synergies with religious festivals still practiced within the convent today.