Search Results (5)

Human communication has long relied on visual media for interaction, and is facilitated by electronic devices that access visual data. Traditionally, this exchange was unidirectional, constrained to text-based queries. However, advancements in human–computer interaction have introduced technologies like reverse image search and large language models (LLMs), enabling both textual and visual queries. These innovations are particularly valuable in Cultural Heritage applications, such as connecting tourists with point-of-interest recognition systems during city visits. This paper investigates the use of various Vision Language Models (VLMs) for Cultural Heritage visual question aswering, including Bing’s search engine with GPT-4 and open models such as Qwen2-VL and Pixtral. Twenty Italian landmarks were selected for the study, including the Colosseum, Milan Cathedral, and Michelangelo’s David. For each landmark, two images were chosen: one from Wikipedia and another from a scientific database or private collection. These images were input into each VLM with textual queries regarding their content. We studied the quality of the responses in terms of their completeness, assessing the impact of various levels of detail in the queries. Additionally, we explored the effect of language (English vs. Italian) on the models’ ability to provide accurate answers. Our findings indicate that larger models, such as Qwen2-VL and Bing+ChatGPT-4, which are trained on multilingual datasets, perform better in both English and Italian. Iconic landmarks like the Colosseum and Florence’s Duomo are easily recognized, and providing context (e.g., the city) improves identification accuracy. Surprisingly, the Wikimedia dataset did not perform as expected, with varying results across models. Open models like Qwen2-VL, which can run on consumer workstations, showed performance similar to larger models. While the algorithms demonstrated strong results, they also generated occasional hallucinated responses, highlighting the need for ongoing refinement of AI systems for Cultural Heritage applications. Full article

The Cathedral of Florence is one of the largest churches in the world and is known for one of the most famous domes ever, which characterizes the skyline of the city. The dimensions of the building mean that the dimensions of the roof are equally large and so are the wooden structures that support it. The roof of the cathedral is organized on two levels: the roof of the large central nave and, at a lower level, those of the two lateral naves. The purpose of this paper is the identification of the wood species of which the structures are made. The sampling method of the 408 samples that have been identified is then described, the methods followed to reach a reliable identification and finally the results. The timbers most represented among the structural elements are those of silver fir, chestnut and elm. Other timbers are then found in the other components less directly linked to the main structural parts that make up the trusses. The paper then discusses the technological implications on the use of those woods within the wooden covering structures of the cathedral and the main sources of timber that the builders had available, in particular the Casentino forests that the Municipality of Florence had donated to the structure that managed the construction of the cathedral (Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore—OPA). OPA still exists today and is responsible for the maintenance of the cathedral and other annexed buildings. Full article

Meristematic black fungi are a highly damaging group of microorganisms responsible for the deterioration of outdoor exposed monuments. Their resilience to various stresses poses significant challenges for removal efforts. This study focuses on the community of meristematic fungi inhabiting the external white marble of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, where they contribute to its darkening. Twenty-four strains were isolated from two differently exposed sites of the Cathedral, and their characterization was conducted. Phylogenetic analysis using ITS and LSU rDNA regions revealed a wide diversity of rock-inhabiting fungal strains within the sampled areas. Eight strains, belonging to different genera, were also tested for thermal preferences, salt tolerance, and acid production to investigate their tolerance to environmental stressors and their interaction with stone. All tested strains were able to grow in the range of 5–30 °C, in the presence 5% NaCl, and seven out of eight strains were positive for the production of acid. Their sensitivities to essential oils of thyme and oregano and to the commercial biocide Biotin T were also tested. The essential oils were found to be the most effective against black fungi growth, indicating the possibility of developing a treatment with a low environmental impact. Full article

The monitoring of stone alteration represents a key factor in the knowledge and prediction of the status of conservation of building stones in the urban framework. A continuous monitoring requires a non-destructive analytical approach and, possibly, a simple, low-cost and effective tool to study the decay processes. Previous studies demonstrated the capability of the SWIR hyperspectral technique to gain information on the degree of sulfation of carbonate stone surfaces. In this study we aim at setting up a protocol to investigate on-site the sulfation degree of the white marble cladding surfaces of the worldwide-famous Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral in Florence (Italy). The proposed protocol couples information by SWIR hyperspectral and colorimetric techniques. We have proved that, in selected areas investigated at a distance of nine years, the colour and the mineralogical changes (i.e., sulfation) are significantly greater than the relative uncertainties of the two methods. Moreover, the proposed protocol results rapid, repeatable and fully not invasive. Full article

Weathering processes seriously affect the durability of outdoor marble monuments. In urban environments, a very common deterioration phenomenon is the dark discoloration or blackening of marble. This paper describes a multidisciplinary study on the state of conservation of white marbles of the Florence Cathedral and the microbial community involved in their deterioration. The study is focused on the widespread dark discoloration of marble analyzed in two differently exposed sites of the Cathedral. It aims to provide information useful for future interventions to control the microbial growth. By chemical and petrographic analysis, in situ and ex situ microscopy, and cultivation and identification of microorganisms, it was found that (i) the darkening is mainly due to the growth of black fungi and dark cyanobacteria and (ii) the state of conservation of marble and the growth pattern of microorganisms seems to be linked to the microclimatic conditions, in particular to solar radiation exposure. This is the first report on the lithobiontic community inhabiting the Florence Cathedral marbles, with a more detailed investigation of the culturable mycobiota. Full article