The first language of discovery is touch, but, yet in historic sites, “do not touch” is often the rule.
The 3D reproductions of coats of arms we created for the Rocca Roveresca in Senigallia turn this idea upside down. They are at the heart of tactile routes and educational workshops where sensory experience becomes a tool for learning and inclusion.
Commissioned by the Marche Regional Museums Directorate, we recreated ten heraldic coats of arms to make the monument’s sculpted heritage accessible, and produced the della Rovere family motto (about two metres long) as a large, modular puzzle. Three additional noble coats of arms were 3D printed in vibrant colours for use in educational activities.
The 3D prints were produced using two different materials: resin for the raised heraldic reproductions, to preserve the precision of the carvings, and PLA for the motto and the coats of arms intended exclusively for didactic use.
From a technical point of view, the main challenge was the photogrammetric survey. The coats of arms are located high up in the upper corners of the rooms, several metres above ground, which required careful planning of shooting positions and the use of specialised equipment. To ensure high-definition 3D models, each surface had to be photographed from multiple angles, with sufficient overlap between images to faithfully capture even the smallest sculptural details before generating the 3D models for printing.
Particular attention, of course, was devoted to post-production, tailored to how each piece would be used. The elements designed for the museum’s tactile accessibility route were hand-finished with a stone effect, while those intended for educational workshops – printed in PLA and prepared for the pictorial rendering of the heraldic coats of arms – were deliberately left in raw material. This way, students taking part in educational activities can handle the pieces freely and safely.
The large motto puzzle completes this inclusion-focused project, becoming a monumental, interactive tool that invites visitors to learn by touch and play.
Riccardo Bonina
Fabio Agatino
Livio Sgarlata