Presented at the BIT in Milan, the project developed by Capitale Cultura Group and ARtGlass alongside the Municipality of Orvieto. Augmented Reality, 3D reconstructions, virtual tours, edugames, podcasts, and interactive maps to transform 5 archaeological sites into a time machine and knowledge hub. Antonio Scuderi: ‘A unique and scalable model of enhancement based on co-design and sustainable innovation.”
Orvieto and the area between the Tiber and Paglia rivers are a true widespread cultural treasure, a testament to nearly three thousand years of history, where the Etruscan and Roman civilizations intersected. In recent years, the region has gained significant importance as it has been crossed by new forms of tourism and sustainable mobility, such as the EuroVelo7, or Ciclovia del Sole, Europe’s largest bike route that connects Cape Nord to Malta, and the Cammino dei Borghi Silenti, which directly connects to the Vallone di San Lorenzo site in Montecchio. Important archaeological excavations have been promoted in recent years by both Italian and foreign universities, in collaboration with the Soprintendenza dell’Umbria, at the Campo della Fiera, Coriglia, and Poggio Gramignano sites. This context today is a driving force for renewed synergy among local administrations, researchers, and experts on an international scale.
Building on these promising foundations, the “Tiber Pallia Immersive Discoveries” project was presented as a preview at the International Tourism Exchange (BIT) in Milan on Monday, February 10th. This project connects five key archaeological sites to create a new cultural attraction using the latest immersive technologies.
The project was developed by Capitale Cultura Group and ARtGlass for the Municipality of Orvieto and funded by the “South-West Orvietano” Internal Area Strategy (POR FESR 2014-2020 – Action 5.2.1). The initiative introduces a new blend of innovative digital tools (Augmented Reality, immersive web tours, edugames, podcasts, and interactive maps), with the goal of enhancing the technological experience of the Orvietano-Amerino archaeological area.
FIVE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES, A TIME MACHINE
The involved sites, true “time machines of history,” include the Necropolis of Crocefisso del Tufo and the Campo della Fiera excavations in Orvieto, the Coriglia site in Castel Viscardo, the Vallone San Lorenzo Necropolis in Montecchio, and the villa of Poggio Gramignano in Lugnano in Teverina.
The synergy between the unique features of the new cultural attraction and the significant cultural interest already drawn by Orvieto’s historic center will enhance the identity and cultural destination of the region and its archaeological sites, in line with the SNAI (National Strategy for Internal Areas) guidelines, promoting an integrated approach focused on local development and tourism. This will also contribute to the inclusion of what were once referred to as “minor” heritage and territories in the circuits of new post-pandemic cultural tourism.
AN INTEGRATED CULTURAL ECOSYSTEM
The project’s mission is to create a true integrated cultural ecosystem for exploring the territory, based on the phygital (physical and digital) experience paradigm, where cultural touchpoints seamlessly integrate in a simple and intuitive way. The technological components are designed and implemented to ensure inclusion, accessibility, and knowledge transfer, sometimes even in a playful manner through immersive engagement, as already demonstrated in various other digital ecosystems built by Capitale Cultura Group and ARtGlass, such as Explora Terre del Primitivo, the new Terramàne destination in Abruzzo, and the 1908 Messina Earthquake Museum.
“This is a unique model – explains Antonio Scuderi, CEO of Capitale Cultura Group and ARtGlass – using a mix of technologies and 3D reconstructions to link and transform five archaeological sites at the crossroads between the Tiber and Paglia rivers, where the Etruscan, Roman, and Lombard civilizations met, into a new physical-digital cultural attraction. A true time machine of knowledge.”
AN INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGICAL AND NARRATIVE MIX
Thanks to the integration of Augmented Reality smart glasses and a web app accessible on any device, based on ARtGlass’s leading technology, visitors can explore the archaeological remains through on-site 3D reconstructions or virtual tours, with narrative videos available in four languages (Italian, English, Spanish, and German) and in Italian Sign Language (LIS).
Additionally, following the trend that sees podcasts as a preferred communication tool for cultural tourism, visitors can deepen their knowledge of the territory by listening to six episodes in a new series, one introductory and the rest dedicated to each site, created with the collaboration of Ears and the scientific curators of the involved cultural sites.
CO-DESIGN AS ADDED VALUE
Antonio Scuderi adds: “Tiber Pallia Immersive Discoveries is also a good example of co-design and sustainability, with all institutional stakeholders, the territory, and the scientific community collaborating on a large-scale project to reconstruct and digitally restore these extraordinary sites, under the scientific coordination of archaeologist Sergio Fontana.”
Giorgio Rocca, archaeologist and head of the Necropolis of Crocefisso del Tufo, highlighted the project’s importance in improving the accessibility and understanding of the site and the new cultural attraction: “This project will allow us to tell the territory both synchronically and diachronically, showing its historical development and integrating the narration among the various sites.”
A NEW SMART TOURISM MODEL FOR EVERYONE
The project stands out for its ability to offer experiences both on-site and remotely. Roberta Tardani, Mayor of Orvieto and Tourism Councilor, explains: “Through technology and these immersive experiences, we are making visits to the territory more engaging and accessible. This project, which involves multiple municipalities, aims to increase the length of stays in these areas and make Orvieto an innovative and sustainable destination.”
Visits with smart glasses will be available at the Necropolises of Crocefisso del Tufo and Vallone San Lorenzo, while the web app will allow remote access to digital content. For younger audiences, an edugame has been developed, including a treasure hunt to discover unique artifacts, faithfully reproduced in virtual form: Etruscan jewelry, small ornamental relics, ancient toys, each given a voice (created with AI). The exploration is guided by a young person whose appearance adapts automatically to the relevant historical period.
With the “Tiber Pallia Immersive Discoveries” model, for the first time, innovative tools and languages come together to create a new smart, accessible cultural tourism attraction for everyone.
