Photogrammetric 3D model of the Wawel Clock Tower after renovation
In 2022, the long-awaited renovation of the Baroque dome of the Wawel Clock Tower began. The work lasted two years and was completed in the autumn of 2024, resulting in a renewed structure that was secured and restored to its former glory. As part of the documentation of this process, a photogrammetric 3D model was also created, developed by me as part of the Kraków 3D project.
This model was created using the photogrammetry technique, based on hundreds of photos taken from the ground and from a drone. This made it possible to create a precise digital copy of the tower—with an accurate representation of architectural details, such as the figures of saints in the corners or the gilded elements of the dome. The model is available in the Kraków 3D models database and can be viewed with full interaction—including in augmented reality mode.
In this case, photogrammetry not only serves promotional or educational purposes. It is also a way to archive the technical condition of the monument at the time of the completion of conservation work. The digital documentation can be used in the future by conservators, architects, historians, and public institutions as a reference and comparison material.
The Clock Tower is one of several dozen objects already digitized as part of Kraków 3D. The project’s goal is to eventually include a minimum of 100 monuments and architectural elements of Kraków—from churches and theaters to entire squares and urban layouts. Kraków photogrammetry is not just a modern technology—it is a tool for the protection of heritage and its popularization.
You can read more about the history of the tower itself and its clocks in the full version of the article on the Kraków z nieba portal.
