A groundbreaking collaboration between Microsoft, the Vatican, and digital preservation company Iconem marks a new chapter in cultural heritage preservation, creating an unprecedented digital twin of St. Peter's Basilica. At SXSW London, Iconem founder Yves Ubelmann and software engineer Andrea Louis shared the story in their session The Basilica of San Pietro: AI-enhanced experience.

Andrea Louis and Yves Ubelmann of Iconem at SXSW London 2025
Andrea Louis, software engineer, and Yves Ubelmann, founder, both of Iconem, present the Basilica di San Pietro project at SXSW London.

Thanks to over 400,000 high-resolution photographs and advanced AI processing, the ambitious project has produced an ultra-precise replica that preserves St. Peter’s Basilica for future generations while also serving as an unprecedented educational resource. The project comprises an immersive website and exhibitions that blend physical and digital interaction at the Basilica itself.

Leveraging advanced photogrammetry (the science of making measurements from photographs) and 3D reconstruction by Iconem, along with AI-powered analysis from Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab using Azure, the project offers unprecedented access to one of Christianity's holiest sites. The 3D model reveals hidden architectural details and spaces too fragile or restricted for public access, including the Roman necropolis beneath the basilica where St. Peter's tomb was discovered.

AI generated image from scan dome of St Peters Basilica
AI generated image from scan st peters basilica exterior aerial 1
AI generated image artistic st peters basilica at night 4

AI generated images from scans of St Peters Basilica. courtesy of Microsoft.

Andrea Louis, software engineer at Iconem said that the power of the model is that “it lets us reveal what you normally can't see and what's hidden - not only behind surfaces, but also in places too remote or too intricate for the visitor to notice with the naked eye. The aim here is to leverage what technologies offer to propose new ways and new means of experiencing a place, to foster a deeper, more meaningful experience of a place.”

For brands, the project shows how technology partnerships can create lasting cultural impact and help to build reputation for innovation and responsibility. The model points to a means for brands to contribute meaningfully to culture, proving technology can enhance our human legacy.

Main image: AI generated image from scan of St Peters Basilica. courtesy of Microsoft.

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