Cultural landscape of the jurassic belt of defensive architecture - a digital model of representation in the process of heritage conservation and popularisation

This thesis delves into an in-depth analysis of the cultural landscape within the Jurassic belt of the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland, focusing on the historical defensive architecture that defines this unique region. The area stands out not only for its natural beauty but also for its rich cultural heritage, with thousands of rock caves and shelters dating back to Paleolithic human settlements. The landscape varies from gentle, sculptural rock outcrops to deep ravines and gorges, including famous sites like Ojców and Mników. The "Eagle Nests," a group of castles founded by Casimir the Great, serve as iconic symbols of this region's historical significance, which extends far beyond the medieval era. The study highlights the critical role this region played in protecting the former capital of the country and the main European trade route. It presents a comprehensive overview of various defense systems found in the area, showcasing their importance during King Casimir the Great's reign and their enduring legacy as symbols of national identity. Through the lens of artists and writers such as Amilcar Kosiński, Napoleon Orda, Zygmunt Vogel, and Kazimierz Stroczyński, these fortifications have become enduring monuments, representing power, decline, and change, firmly embedding themselves in Polish culture. However, the cultural landscape of the Jurassic belt has not remained immune to the forces of industrialization and urbanization, leading to destruction and devastation. Therefore, this thesis emphasizes the urgent need for the preservation and revitalization of this priceless heritage as an integral part of Poland's cultural identity. The scientific problem addressed in this thesis is the absence of systematic and comprehensive studies providing a unified knowledge base on the cultural objects within the Jurassic belt. Current source materials and studies are fragmented and insufficient, hindering the effective conservation of this heritage. The research aims to bridge this knowledge gap and explores the potential of digitization to create a uniform information exchange system for conservation and popularization. The hypothesis posits that the supplementation and systematization of knowledge, along with the digitization of objects in the Jurassic belt area, will lead to the development of a uniform information system. This system can serve dual purposes: conserving this unique cultural heritage and making it more accessible for popularization. Ultimately, the thesis seeks not only to fill existing knowledge gaps but also to pioneer innovative methods for managing and protecting the cultural heritage of the Jurassic belt, preserving it for future generations.