NUME reconstructs seven earthquake-damaged churches in 3D

In response to the August 24, 2016 earthquake that devastated central Italy, the NUME association—a research group on Medieval Latin based in Florence and composed mainly of scholars under 30—launched a digital memory project. They mapped damaged or destroyed sacred buildings in Umbria, Lazio, and Marche, creating virtual 3D reconstructions using Sketchup. Photos were sourced from Google Street View and local residents' personal archives. Seven churches were rebuilt: Sant'Agostino in Amatrice, SS Pietro e Lorenzo in Accumoli, Santa Maria in Pantano in Montegallo, San Salvatore in Campi di Norcia, Basilica di San Benedetto in Norcia, and Pieve di Santa Maria Assunta in Ussita. The models are accessible online for interactive viewing. The project is currently stalled due to lack of funding, but the group hopes to resume and expand the census of affected churches.