On Sunday, October 3, 2021, inside the Castle of Arta, the Laboratory of Knowledge & Intelligent Computing of the Department of Informatics and Telecommunications of the University of Ioannina, made a presentation of innovative digital cultural applications, which has been developed within the project HERMES- Heritage Rehabilitation as Multiplier cultural Empowerment within Social context (https://greece-italy.eu/rlb-funded-projects/hermes/), which is funded by the Cross-Border Program “INTERREG Greece-Italy 2014-2020” and is implemented with the co-financing of the European Union and Greece.

The presentation took place in the context of the opening of the periodical exhibition entitled “Arta in 1821. Merchants, craftsmen, partners, revolutionaries”, which was organized by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Arta with an official guest, the Minister of Culture and Sports Mrs. Lina Mendoni.

The applications, developed by the research team of the Laboratory of Knowledge and Intelligent Computing with scientifically responsible Professor Chrysostomos Stylios, concern Augmented and Virtual Reality, through which a digital imaging system for tangible and intangible cultural assets was created, enabling digital visitors to get to know, obtain information and tour important cultural objects, buildings, historical and cultural sites. Specifically, the augmented reality application was presented, which includes the 3D models of the Castle of Arta and the historical points of interest inside and outside the walls (Coat of arms of Tokko, Acropolis of the Castle, Bust of Makriyiannis). In addition, a virtual reality application was introduced, which allows the user, using virtual reality equipment, to navigate inside the Castle even in places that are difficult to access, providing an interactive experience through multimedia content and opportunities to access cultural goods, in ways that were not possible with the conventional means to date.

Finally, the digital timeline was presented, which includes important dates related to the history of the Castle and is enriched with 3D models and images.

The Minister Mrs. Mendoni was very interested in the innovative digital cultural applications and congratulated both the research team of the Laboratory of Knowledge and Intelligent Computing and Professor Chrysostomos Stylios, for the extremely interesting digital tools they have developed, pointing out that these applications should be used to the fullest, to be given to all its visitors of Arta’s Castle and to be extended to other cultural monuments.

For more information about the HERMES Project, contact: 26810 50234 and contact@kic.uoi.gr.

You can also visit the website of the Laboratory of Knowledge & Intelligent Informatics: kic.uoi.gr.