Preserving History with Smart Technology: IoT Monitoring at the Colosseum

Challenge

The Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage faced a complex task: Implementing continuous structural monitoring without compromising the Colosseum's historical integrity.

The organization, through the Parco Archeologico del Colosseo, initiated a groundbreaking pilot project with two primary objectives: validating existing satellite data and establishing continuous structural health monitoring. The project faced three critical constraints:

• Heritage Preservation: Any monitoring system needed to be completely non-invasive, protecting the ancient structure's integrity.
• Aesthetic Integration: Modern technology had to be virtually invisible, maintaining the site's historical authenticity.
• Data Quality: The solution required consistent, precise, and reliable remote monitoring capabilities.

Traditional monitoring methods, relying on periodic inspections and visible equipment, couldn't meet these stringent requirements while providing the necessary real-time insights for effective preservation and immediate decision making.

Solution

Move Solutions, a leader in the field of Smart Structural Health Monitoring, provided a comprehensive structural and environmental monitoring system tailored to the Colosseum's unique requirements and combining advanced IoT sensors with LoRaWAN connectivity.

Key components:

• Triaxial Accelerometers and Tiltmeters to measure structural movement
• Crackmeters with Analog Communication Nodes for precise monitoring.
• LORIOT LoRaWAN Network Server for reliable, long-range data transmission
• Move Solutions IoT Platform for wireless device management and data analysis

Besides the comprehensive solution, the installation process also had it own requirements:

• Non-invasive installation: Two-day installation with zero structural alterations.
• Aesthetic integration: Specialized restorers from Belle Arti di Roma painted each sensor to match the monument's surface

The use of LoRaWAN connectivity eliminates the need for visible cables while ensuring reliable data transmission over long distances.

“Providing a wireless, non-invasive monitoring system for the Colosseum was both an honor and a responsibility. Projects like the monitoring of the Colosseum showcase how leveraging IoT, AI, and the latest technologies can help protect invaluable historic structures while respecting their integrity, ensuring they stand the test of time for future generations."
Ambra Scotolati, CMO, Move Solutions.

The Return

The LoRaWAN monitoring system delivers critical value for the Colosseum's preservation, enabling 24/7 remote monitoring while remaining virtually invisible to visitors, meeting both technical and aesthetic requirements for historical preservation.

Real-time Insights

• Immediate detection of structural anomalies
• Continuous monitoring replaces periodic inspections
• Ground-based measurements validate satellite data

Heritage Protection

• Non-invasive installation preserves structural integrity
• Invisible integration maintains historical aesthetics
• Two-day setup minimizes site disruption

Infrastructure Management

• Remote access to structural health data
• Reliable LoRaWAN connectivity ensures constant monitoring
• Data-driven decisions for preservation efforts

Future-Proof Heritage

The success of this implementation opens new possibilities for heritage preservation worldwide. The system's scalability allows for:

• Integration of additional sensor types for comprehensive monitoring
• Development of predictive maintenance models
• Enhanced visitor experience through data-driven site management
• Cross-site data correlation for improved preservation strategies

The solution contributes to the safety, longevity, and preservation of the Colosseum, demonstrating the power of IoT in cultural heritage management.