Happa, JassimArtusi, AlessandroDubla, PiotrBashford-Rogers, TomDebattista, KurtHulusic, VedadChalmers, AlanKurt Debattista and Cinzia Perlingieri and Denis Pitzalis and Sandro Spina2014-01-312014-01-312009978-3-905674-18-71811-864Xhttps://doi.org/10.2312/VAST/VAST09/049-056High-fidelity virtual reconstructions can be used as accurate 3D representations of historical environments. After modelling the site to high precision, physically-based and historically correct light models must be implemented to complete an authentic visualisation. Sunlight has a major visual impact on a site; from directly lit areas to sections in deep shadow. The scene illumination also changes substantially at different times of the day. In this paper we present a virtual reconstruction of the Panagia Angeloktisti; a Byzantine church on Cyprus. We investigate lighting simulations of the church at different times of the day, making use of Image-Based Lighting, using High Dynamic Range Environment Maps of photographs and interpolated spectrophotometer data collected on site. Furthermore, the paper also explores the benefits and disadvantages of employing unbiased rendering methods such as Path Tracing and Metropolis Light Transport for cultural heritage applications.Categories and Subject Descriptors (according to ACM CCS): Computer Graphics [I.3.3]: Picture/Image Generation -Display Algorithms - Computer Graphics [I.3.7]: Three-Dimensional Graphics and Realism - Color, Shading, Shadowing, and Textures - Computer Graphics [I.3.8]: Applications