Digitally Documenting 1,000 Years of Architecture

A 3D look at the lakeside Church of Saint Sofia

In September 2018, CyArk, a non-profit with a mission to make culture digitally available went on a mission to capture the beauty of the Church of Saint Sophia in the Republic of North Macedonia. The church is located just off Lake Ohrid and has stunning panoramic views.

Take a 360-degree virtual tour of the outside of the Church of Saint Sophia in Ohrid.

The city has many churches, but this one in particular was chosen by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of North Macedonia because it is part of a larger conservation project.

The exterior of the church was photographed with Phase One 100 MP high resolution photography. 

As well as the sensitive murals on the interior of the church.  This advanced technology ensures absolute clarity in every little detail. 

Laser scanning was also used for 3D imaging to recreate the church digitally.

All of these photographs and scans were put together to create a high-resolution model architectural drawing like the one you see here. The Church of Saint Sophia now lives both in North Macedonia and among the digital world.  

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