Sony HD cameras secure Cathedral of Andria in the Puglia region

Sony has equipped the Andria Cathedral with 32 video cameras, both fixed and swiveling

Background

The Cathedral of Andria, in the Puglia Region of Southern Italy, is a priceless artistic and historic treasure, for which a CCTV video-surveillance system was requested. Dating from approximately the 12th century, the Cathedral contains a famed precious relic, “The Holy Thorn”, believed to be one of the thorns from the Crown of Thorns forced on the head of Christ before his Crucifixion. It also holds the tombs of two of Emperor Frederick II of Swabia's wives, Yolanda of Brienne and Elisabeth of England, as well as a fine 13th century icon of the Madonna and a 15th century bust of Francesco II del Balzo, Duke of Andria, attributed to Francesco Laurana.

Customer Challenge

Given the importance of the building and the treasures it contains, church authorities commissioned a special technologically advanced surveillance system that would also permit night vision.

Sony solution

Sony has equipped the Andria Cathedral with 32 video cameras, both fixed and swivelling, both HD and FULL HD, which thanks to special infra-red leds achieve night vision even in pitch darkness. The system was also designed to relay high quality live images of religious services to the two side naves. In other words, as well as serving as a daytime and night-time security video, the system has also been designed to allow the faithful in the lateral naves to see the religious functions held in the presbytery and the side chapel. These images are relayed to 6 40" screens attached to the central columns and, if required, can also be video-projected in a large adjoining chapel. The system can also be used to show DVDs, audio/video guides and cultural and tourist presentations, a service that is much appreciated by visitors to the Cathedral. The following cameras have been installed: 18 SNC-DH160, 7 SNC-DH180, 2 SNC-CH280, 2 SNC-CH180, 1 SNC-CH120 and 2 SNC-EP580

Results

The church authorities have pronounced themselves extremely satisfied with the video surveillance system installed and with the spectacularly high quality of the images visualised.