Development of Web-Based GIS for the Cultural Heritage of Safranbolu, Turkey

Heritage and culture are two important components for the historical sites all over the world. Furthermore, cultural heritage is an important term regarding the question of how such historical sites may be valued. Cultural heritage areas of countries have great significance in terms of history, tourism, recognition of the country and economy. Not only having historical heritage is important, but also it is very important to protect and revitalize these sites. For this purpose, UNESCO lists the heritage sites with the aim of helping the countries. In this regard, Turkey has nine historical premises under protection by UNESCO, and one of them is the Safranbolu historical city. The main goal of this study is the 3D modelling of all historical constructions as similar to real status in Safranbolu historical city and the creation of an information system. Firstly, a GISbased management system has been developed through cultural heritage documentation for this historical city. All registered historical buildings and 3D models of selected buildings that are produced using close range photogrammetric technique are assigned within the database. Data coming from different sources related to these registered buildings were published and distributed via internet by a web-based information system designed specifically for this study.