Walled city's heritage brought to life in new 3D map

Dating back to the early 1600s, the Walls are one of the city's most iconic landmarks and a major draw for international visitors

Researchers using state-of-the-art scanning technology have produced a highly detailed 3D digital map of Londonderry's historic walled city.

The Walls of Derry are famous for being the only completely-intact walled city in the island of Ireland and have never been breached, giving Derry the nickname "The Maiden City".

Dating back to the early 1600s, they were the site of a 105-day siege in 1689, involving an attempt by the deposed Catholic King James II to regain his crown from his Protestant son-in-law, King William III.

The online project is led by the University of Bradford, working alongside the University of Limerick, University College Cork, and Derry City and Strabane District Council.

More than 3,000 images were needed to create the 3D map

As part of the wider programme, the team has also created a digital model of the medieval walled town of Kilmallock in County Limerick, in the Republic of Ireland.

Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle's Mark Patterson Show , Professor Andrew Wilson, from the University of Bradford, who leads the project, said the maps had been created with the "latest cutting-edge technologies" in terms of 3D imagery.

"All of the data we have produced and released has that potential for a fully immersive experience," he said.

But he said the work goes far beyond technological innovation.

"It's about connecting communities and preserving heritage in a way that's accessible to everyone," he said.

"By creating detailed digital twins of Derry and Kilmallock, we're safeguarding centuries of history while opening up new opportunities for education, tourism and regeneration."

His team used vehicle-mounted laser scanning systems, drones and mobile mapping, to "capture these walled towns in incredible detail".

The map allows people to zone in on some of Derry's best known landmarks including the Guildhall and St Columb's Cathedral and learn more about the city's history, including its links to the shirt-making industry.

What are Derry's Walls?

Derry was the first planned city on the island of Ireland. With four main roads leading off a central 'Diamond', passage into the city was originally made through four gates like this one at Ferryquay Gate. Later, three more gates were added

• The walls are Northern Ireland's largest state monument and Londonderry was the last walled city to be built in Europe

• While the structure was commissioned in 1613, the build didn't begin until 1614 and ended in 1619

• During the Siege in 1689, up to 30,000 Protestant supporters of King William III held the Walled City for 105 days in the face of the Catholic King James II, until the relief fleet broke the boom across the River Foyle on 28 July and the Jacobite forces began their retreat on 1 August 1689.

• The Honourable Irish Society built the walls as defences for settlers from Scotland and England - the society still own them to this day

• In 2013, thousands of people took part in a Mexican wave along the walls to mark 400 years since they were erected

• According figures from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, in 2022 Derry's Walls were among Northern Ireland's most visited attractions, with 577,000 taking to the mile-long walkway around the inner city

The Mayor of Derry and Strabane Ruairi McHugh (right) pictured with Professor Andrew Wilson (left) from the University of Bradford, who led the team

The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane, Ruairí McHugh, said the map marked "an exciting new chapter in how we preserve, celebrate and share our remarkable heritage".

"This groundbreaking 3D digital modelling project represents a fusion of our proud past with innovative technology, allowing people from across the world to experience the beauty and historical significance of our walled city," he said.