In this day and age, entering a church means turning off your cell phone or facing widespread disdain when it rings in the middle of a service. Technology doesn’t seem to have much place in the hallowed halls of religious sites. Yet for one historic location, machine-to-machine (M2M) technology is fitting in smoothly: Banska Stiavnica in Slovakia, home to Calvary Hill.
Banska Stiavnica had once been home to an order of Jesuit priests who built three churches and 19 chapels on the site, each filled with art depicting the Passion of the Christ. The site, now known as Calvary Hill, used to be a popular pilgrimage location, but has suffered neglect in recent decades. When the Kalvarsky Fund decided in 2008 to restore the buildings, they were faced with metal thieves stealing supplies of copper wire after construction crews had left at night, thus interrupting and delaying the restoration process. But on such a wide expanse of land, traditional security options would have been inefficient in both method and cost.
Image via Shutterstock
Cue M2M technology. The Kalvarsky Fund employed the EyeSee video surveillance tool by Deutsche Telekom partner Jablocom. The EyeSee utilizes an infrared motion detector to sense the presence of human body temperatures after construction crews leave; motion in picture (MIP) detectors take photos at regular intervals and record any changes between them. Further, an acoustic alarm can register the sound of breaking glass, and atmospheric sensors pick up changes in air caused by opening a door or window. Alarm systems are linked via the Internet to alert M2M owners of any disturbances, break-ins or suspicious activity. The EyeSee can be controlled remotely by the owner to adjust security measures or access information.
Already at least one thief has been apprehended at the Calvary Hill site with the help of the EyeSee, and the Kalvarsky Fund members and construction crews are provided with a greater measure of security in their endeavor to restore the site.
Technology is on the move to affect and protect all facets of life, even in halls of religious worship – but you should still remember to silence your phone in church.
Edited by
Alisen Downey