Digital tools for documentation and interpretation of the fortification system of Elba: the Giove Fort as a connection point between ancient routes and visual targets

Elba territory presents a dense network of forts and outposts created by the various dynasties and conquerors that ruled the Island through the centuries. This defensive apparatus was connected by ancient paths, routes and visual systems, as it is possible to notice from the landscape, showing the various watch towers located on hills. The visibility among these archaeological evidences can still be observed as no changes has been made to their context. The most important fortresses are: Giove Fort, Volterraio Castle and St. Giovanni Tower, which are located on strategic areas to control the whole perimeter of the Island and of the Mediterranean Sea. They represent a potential visual line on heights, which all coastal fortification systems referred to. The use of digital tools, 3d laser scanner technologies and photogrammetric survey, make possible to understand the evolution of this military apparatus and the communication method between the Giove Fort and the other main outposts. The acquired data aim to a better knowledge of the Giove Fort and the role it played in the past. The final documentation can provide an improvement of the bibliography, promoting a kind of virtual tourism. By the use of multimedia applications and web sites, visitors can interact with digital and physical 3D-models of the archaeological complex, avoiding accessibility obstacles. The paper proposed here will show the description and the analysis of this documentation and dissemination project.