TOWARDS A DIGITAL DATABASE FOR RELIGIOUS HERITAGE: THE IBN KHALDOUN MOSQUE IN BÉJAÏA

Abstract

Abstract

The conservation of architectural heritage poses significant challenges for countries aiming to preserve their cultural identity and pass on their heritage to future generations while addressing contemporary issues. Architectural heritage is often represented by richly decorated, historically significant monumental buildings. Yet less visible, more modest buildings can also be important bearers of cultural values. Béjaïa was once a major commercial and intellectual crossroads in the Mediterranean. Rich in centuries-old heritage, some of its more discreet components are still poorly documented. The present study focuses on the Ibn Khaldun Mosque, a building characterized by architectural sobriety and devoid of elaborate ornamentation or decorative complexity. Its importance lies not in aesthetic refinement but in historical continuity. In the absence of precise sources, this study takes a cross-disciplinary approach, combining historiographical research with digital technologies. It argues that documenting this historically rich heritage is essential for improving our understanding of cultural and architectural history. This work provides the first metrically precise, three-dimensional documentation of the mosque. This contribution is original in that it demonstrates the application of advanced digital techniques to modest heritage. The result is a precise and durable documentation that can serve as a basis for future architectural and structural studies.