At the 27th edition of the Borsa Mediterranea del Turismo Archeologico (BMTA), held in Paestum from October 30 to November 2, attention was focused not only on the splendors of the past but also on the frontier of technology serving culture. In this context, our group was among the protagonists, bringing Extended Reality (XR) as a tool capable of making archaeology more accessible, participatory, and truly inclusive.

When technology brings cultural heritage to life
One of the most emblematic projects we presented was the permanent exhibition “1908 CittàMuseoCittà” at the Museo Accascina in Messina. Here, smart glasses, 3D reconstructions, and immersive content allow visitors to explore the city before and after the 1908 earthquake. At BMTA, within the halls of ArcheoIncoming and ArcheoVirtual, we recreated in miniature the Earthquake Room, an immersive space where visitors relive moments before and after the catastrophic quake.

Other showcased case studies included:

• ARchivi. The Milan You Didn’t Know in Augmented Reality, transforming libraries and archives into urban ecomuseums through digital itineraries enriched with podcasts.

• Verona Time Machine, a tour bringing Roman Verona of 2,000 years ago to life with smart glasses and expert guides.

• Tiber Pallia – Immersive Discoveries, an immersive archaeological route connecting Etruscan and Roman sites in Umbria and Lazio with digital technologies and educational content, promoting sustainable and shared tourism.

All these projects, together with our CEO’s presentations at BMTA, demonstrated how technology can become a tool for cultural democracy and participatory knowledge, supporting our vision that the archaeology of the future is not just observed—it is lived, experienced, and understood, making historical memory accessible and engaging for everyone.

Extended Reality as a key to more inclusive culture
Within cultural heritage technologies, XR holds strategic value for three main reasons: expanding accessibility, fostering emotional and cognitive engagement, and enabling new narratives for contemporary audiences. According to Politecnico di Milano, over 80% of Italian museums have invested in digital solutions to make cultural experiences more accessible. Smart glasses, augmented reality, and 3D reconstructions allow anyone—regardless of physical limitations, architectural barriers, or geographic distance—to immerse themselves in interactive storytelling.

XR experiences go beyond passive observation: visitors who “enter” the historical narrative become part of the scene, build empathy, and create longer-lasting memories. The sensory and narrative interaction transforms visits into educational experiences, especially for younger audiences. Immersive technologies also foster cultural inclusion, engaging diverse groups—from students to international tourists and local communities—with contemporary, accessible languages. Digital tools thus act as bridges across disciplines, generations, and cultures, helping reduce participation gaps that still affect many museums.

Looking beyond Paestum: our ongoing challenge
With the close of BMTA 2025, our challenges do not end. Our work looks toward new horizons: further museum installations, immersive routes, integration of artificial intelligence in cultural storytelling, and increasing engagement with local communities.