Abstract— Recent advances in the techniques of laser scanning and the increase in computing power in last years have enabled astonishing experiments of virtual reality. The three-dimensional digitizing of cultural heritage and its modeling are so becoming increasingly widespread. This work shows a comparison between the consolidated operating mode of the laser scanner with the techniques of image capture and generation of 3D models based on photographs made with ordinary digital cameras. Thanks to a special software exploiting appropriate photogrammetric techniques and algorithms defined as "Structure from Motion" (SfM), we can reconstruct high- resolution DEMs (Digital Elevation Model) of high quality. We studied a masonry tower in the south of Italy (Marina di Gioiosa Jonica, Reggio Calabria), dating back to the fifteenth and sixteenth century. Keywords—Geometrical survey, Masonry structures, Photogrammetric techniques, Structure from motion, Terrestrial laser scanner. I. INTRODUCTION HE world of cultural heritage is experiencing a phase of promotion and development of its assets thanks to the progress of survey techniques and multimedia communication. The introduction of new measuring devices such as 3D laser scanners, spherical photogrammetry, structure-from-motion photogrammetry and the latest methods of image-based modeling produced a strong change in the mode of acquisition, treatment and restitution of metric information. These new techniques allow the construction of digital photo-realistic 3D models that can be used as an information system and as an aid to structural modeling. The digital model becomes an operational tool that can be implemented in new information systems able to handle complex and typologically heterogeneous data for both single buildings and large geographical areas. V. Barrile is with the DICEAM Department, Faculty of Engineering Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria 89100 IT (phone: +39-0965-169-2301; e-mail: vincenzo.barrile@unirc.it). G. Bilotta was with the Department of Planning, IUAV University of Venice, Venice 30135 IT. She now collaborates with the DICEAM Department, Faculty of Engineering Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria 89100 IT (e-mail: giuliana.bilotta@iuav.it). D. Lamari is with the DICEAM Department, Faculty of Engineering Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria 89100 IT (email: antonio.lamari@gmail.com). In this paper, we applied a promising photogrammetric technique to a XV-XVI century masonry castle in southern Italy (Marina di Gioiosa Jonica, Reggio Calabria) called Torre Galea (Fig. 1) for for comparison with a TLS survey. The flow chart of Fig. 2 shows the workflow, starting from the digital images, yields to the 3D model. 3D models of cultural heritage V. Barrile, G. Bilotta, D. Lamari T Fig. 1 Views of Torre Galea- Marina di Gioiosa Jonica (RC) Fig. 2 Workflow for the realization of the model 3D photogrammetric INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MATHEMATICAL MODELS AND METHODS IN APPLIED SCIENCES Volume 11, 2017 ISSN: 1998-0140 1