Digitisation and virtual restitution applied to the heritage of displaced mural painting: the case of the medieval mural painting of the church of Saints Julián and Basilisa of Bagüés (Spain)

Abstract This study presents an exploration of the digitisation of medieval mural paintings from the church of Saints Julián and Basilisa in Bagüés (Zaragoza, Spain), an Asset of Cultural Interest . These murals were removed in 1966, resulting in a disconnection between the artworks and their original architectural context. This removal raised concerns regarding decontextualisation and potential loss of heritage significance. To address these challenges, advanced digital techniques, such as laser scanning and photogrammetry, were employed to create highly accurate 3D models of both the church and the museum where the murals are now housed. These models facilitate a detailed geometric analysis, allowing a direct comparison of the two environments and an exploration of the spatial relationships that were lost over time. The digital data collected through these techniques play a vital role in the preservation, study, and dissemination of heritage, providing new possibilities for the virtual reintegration of the murals into their original context. Additionally, these 3D models offer an innovative tool for virtual restoration, allowing researchers, conservators, and the public to engage with the murals as they might have appeared within the church. This study demonstrates the potential of digital technologies in mitigating the effects of heritage displacement while offering new approaches to the interpretation and virtual presentation of relocated artworks. The research also suggests future applications in heritage conservation, including the development of interactive museum experiences and the integration of these models into virtual and augmented reality platforms, enhancing the public's understanding and appreciation of displaced cultural heritage.