Documentation of the Changes of Shahrestan, the Oldest Bridge in Isfahan, Based on Descriptive and Visual Documents, Using Augmented Reality Technology

Augmented reality technology (AR) has provided many opportunities for researchers. AR has been used to reconstruct historical buildings that have been destroyed or have lost their original forms. Shahrestan Bridge, the oldest bridge in Isfahan, Iran, has had substantial changes in its form and function over the years. AR can reveal the original form of this building to visitors. This method can also acquaint visitors with the changes in the bridge over time. Purpose of the study: This study reveals the original form and function of this bridge by analyzing the available descriptive and visual historical documents for the first time. Also, identifying the locations of the main buildings around the bridge have been considered in this study. This article is based on library research and field study. First, descriptive documents were studied and visual documents were scrutinized, and then the 3D model was recreated based on the documents.  We have represented the original form of the bridge and designed an AR apparatus for displaying it to the general public on site. We have also identified the location of the architecture surrounding the bridge. Our study revealed that the arched spans of the bridge have gone through very few changes while the customs house and buildings near it have gone through major changes.