Digitizing Cultural Heritage Through Typography: The Case of the Knights Hospitaller Inscriptions at Bodrum Castle

Authors : Sinem Ünal Gerdan

Pages : 538-557

Doi:10.5281/zenodo.17169663

View : 36 | Download : 43

Publication Date : 2025-09-27

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This article examines the documentation and digitization of inscriptions from the Knights Hospitaller period at Bodrum Castle through a typographic perspective. The epigraphic inscriptions are considered not only as historical records but also as visual forms carrying typographic aesthetics. The research was conducted using a Research by Design approach, encompassing the processes of photographic documentation of the inscriptions, analysis of letterform variations, reproduction through vector drawing, and transformation into an open-source typeface design. Findings demonstrate that the geometric structure, symbolic signs, and Gothic–rune-like aesthetic of the inscriptions can be adapted to contemporary typographic norms. Accordingly, the “Rhodes Font” developed within this study is proposed as a contemporary digital typeface that preserves historical fidelity while adhering to the principles of legibility and accessibility. The study establishes an interdisciplinary bridge between typographic research and cultural heritage preservation, offering a model for future multilingual, three-dimensional, and augmented-reality-supported applications.
Keywords : Tipografi, Kültürel Miras, Epigrafi, Dijital Yazı Tasarımı, Bodrum Kalesi

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