Greece is digitally transforming its museums and archaeological sites under a new project aiming to modernize the visitor experience while safeguarding Greek heritage through cutting-edge technology.
The 27.8 million euro ($30.8 million) initiative, funded by the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility, is led by the Organization for the Management and Development of Cultural Resources (ODAP) in partnership with Greece’s Ministry of Culture.
According to the ministry, the goal is to deliver universal accessibility, personalized services and a more immersive connection to history.
The project, which has a 14-month timeline, is merging history with technology in 107 cultural sites across the country, with the roll out of interactive technologies, advanced digital tools and smart infrastructure.
It includes a unified ticket an accessing control system, the introduction of Hellenic Heritage Web App -a digital membership platform to engage users beyond physical visits, Augmented reality (AR) at Sounion, Delos, the Asklepion of Kos, the Rotunda of Thessaloniki and the Ancient Agora of Athens.
Moreover, there will be virtual reality (VR) applications at the site of Ancient Olympia, smart signage, QR codes and real-time content at 30 locations along with advanced visitor monitoring and asset protection systems.
“We are advancing the digital transformation of archaeological and museum services in line with our strategic commitment to sustainable cultural development,” said Lina Mendoni, the Greek Culture Minister.
The project is being implemented by the OTE-Singular Logic-Radiant consortium, selected through an international tender.
Major cultural sites already digitally transformed through the use of technology
Since 2020, the Acropolis Museum has gone completely digital, bringing the museum’s collection to life through digital exhibitions and an extensive virtual catalogue of its ancient artifacts.
Through the website, one can get not just information about the museum’s history, future visits, and upcoming exhibitions, but also a digital archive of the permanent collection, the first of its kind to be provided by a Greek museum.
This voluminous catalogue, free and accessible to all, includes extensive descriptions of the over 2,000 master works housed by the museum as well as an interactive glossary, bibliographies, photographs, drawings, and videos to bring the collection to life.
This digital archive has already proven to be an incredible resource for students, archaeologists, art historians, and all those interested in ancient Greek art.
Since 2023, a new mobile phone app enables visitors to view the Acropolis in all its 5th century BC grandeur and glory.
The app uses cutting-edge virtual and augmented reality technology, together with artificial intelligence and 5G to recreate the form of the Acropolis in its heyday. In addition, an artificial intelligence assistant is able to answer questions about the site.
The most iconic portions of the Acropolis, together with some prominent exhibits at the Acropolis museum are now accessible as a virtual digital representation, allowing visitors to compare the ancient remains with an accurate reconstruction of what they once would have looked like in the past.
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