Resumen de Application of new survey technologies for 3D restitution and thearchitectural study of the Spanish fort Gourraya in Bejaia (Algeria)
Naima Abderrahim Mahindad, Samira Haoui Bensaada
The Fort of Gouraya is an ancient military edifice built in the 16th century, during the Spanish occupation of the town of Bedjaia, on the northern coast of Algeria. It is located on the highest mountain peak, 672 m above sea level: a position which gave it considerable importance, as it protected the town from any foreign incursion, particularly from the sea. This fort was refurbished in 1830 following the French intervention so that it could simultaneously fulfil two functions: to resist a possible attack and to control the town and its surroundings as well as the maritime traffic of the region. It is a building of great patrimonial value and represents a vital period in the history of the city of Bejaia. Unfortunately, today it is completely ruined and only a few sections of the walls remain. Through the use of new digital tools, such as the laser scanner and photogrammetry, we have been able to reproduce an architectural representation of the building in its current state, as well as a virtual model of the whole of the edifice. By applying these new tools to the endangered architectural heritage, we have been able to preserve its image through 3D restitution, modelling and digital simulations. Such a restitution has not only highlighted the different phases in the evolution of the building, but it has also put forward an interpretation of the elements that have fallen into ruin, or have completely disappeared. It has, therefore, proved itself to be a valuable tool not only for understanding this building, but also for preserving the image and memory of the heritage and archaeological site .Its restitution and reopening to the public thus represents the culmination of this whole chain of operation.
