Cultural Thematic Path (CTP) Ontology. The Ontology for the Enjoyment of Cultural Heritage

This thesis aims to explore the notion of thematic path as a tool for enhancing cultural resources, analyzing how it can be defined and applied in various contexts. The work is structured around two research questions: the first focuses on defining the thematic path, examining the requirements and characteristics that arise in different contexts, while the second investigates the formalization of the thematic path, with the objective of developing an ontology that enables a clear and coherent representation of it. The main contributions of this thesis include the formulation of an all-encompassing definition of the thematic path, an analysis of the data representation standards employed in the GLAM domain, and the proposal of an ontology for the structuring and management of thematic paths. In order to develop the ontology, the Linked Open Terms (LOT) Methodology was followed. In the early stages, it was essential to define scenarios, which are specific contexts where the ontology can be applied. Three distinct scenarios were outlined: the first two are primarily designed to enhance movable and musealized cultural heritage, while the third centers on cultural routes, highlighting immovable and intangible cultural heritage. Based on the identified scenarios, 30 Competency Questions were developed to define the requirements that the ontology must fulfill. The ontology was formalised and published on the Web in accordance with the guidelines for publishing vocabularies outlined by the W3C, ensuring that it is accessible through its URI. It is made available both as a formal language file and as human readable documentation through content negotiation. The impact of this thesis lies in introducing a novel approach to organizing and managing cultural heritage, offering a tool for the development of thematic paths as a means of cultural enhancement. By linking and engaging cultural resources in innovative ways, this work goes beyond academic contribution, providing museums, libraries, archives, and public institutions with an ontology that enhances accessibility and interactivity, while leveraging technological advancements and aligning with international standards.