Proposed Implementation of Augmented and Mixed Reality in the Crypt of the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta in Torcello

The first part of the paper narrates the history of the architectural development of the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta in Torcello, with a special focus on the crypt, as well as the artistic and theological concepts embedded in it. Two complex problems associated with the basilica’s crypt are then presented to propose solutions based on the understanding of medieval art and architecture. The first one is the dismantled pergola, parts of which have been lost or reused to make other objects in the church. The second problem is that of the missing vault decoration. Based on the remaining fragments of painted mortar, it has been deduced that the whole ceiling was decorated with an imitation of a starry sky. The presented solutions are grounded in the understanding of the relationship between practical and digital restoration, the use of digital tools and media, as well as the understanding of the fundamental concepts of medieval art and architecture. The digital tools debated here are augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR). The paper aims to present proposals that take into account, not just the restoration theory, but are multidisciplinary, encompassing the history of art, aesthetics, and theory of media respectively.