Spatial estimation of visitor's pauses in a Cistercian Church

Research reveals distinct spatial patterns of visitor pauses within the Monastery of Alcobaça’s Cistercian church, highlighting differences between novice and experienced architecture students. Using geostatistical methods like ordinary kriging, the study estimated stopping times for two groups—first-year and fifth-year students—during a guided visit. Findings show that expert students (fifth-year) tend to pause longer at specific architectural features compared to novices (first-year), suggesting that familiarity with design elements influences contemplation behavior. This insight contributes to understanding how visitors engage with heritage sites, offering implications for interpretive strategies in cultural tourism.

Ribeiro, J., Abreu, P., Ferreira, M., & Esteves, P. (2023). Spatial estimation of visitor’s pauses in a Cistercian Church. Time and Space, 113–118. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003260554-16