Dissemination of cartographic heritage and rediscovery of the past using digital geomatic tools: some experiences in Bologna (Italy).

Cartographic Heritage, for centuries kept in Archives and Libraries, today needs to be spread towards the wide public, taking advantage of digital technologies. Tools and techniques coming from Geomatics, GIS technology in particular, can help to regenerate historical cartography in a metric way and to expand the possibilities of knowing and using this heritage, rediscovering the past in an unusual way and increasing the awareness about the geographical and historical context. In the last few years, some experiences of research dissemination concerning the metric digital regeneration of historical cartography were conducted in Bologna by the authors. They were dedicated partly to high school students and partly to citizens and tourists, and received a very favorable response with a lot of interest from non-experts.