An Interactive Digital Experience to Enhance the Cultural Heritage of the Town of Gallipoli: The Gallipoli MAB Project

The convergence of technology and cultural heritage has inaugurated a new era of exploration and engagement within museums and historical sites worldwide. Extended Reality (XR) is at the forefront of this transformation, revolutionizing traditional museum experiences by offering interactive, multi-dimensional encounters that surpass the limitations of static exhibits. In this scenario the MAB Institution of Gallipoli (Museo, Archivio e Biblioteca) with the project titled “Gallipoli, qui dove finisce il mare ed inizia la terra”, supported by the Ministry of Culture’s “Fondo Cultura,” epitomizes the commitment to enhancing cultural heritage through new digital media. By integrating virtual elements and employing user-centered design principles, the project aims to create dynamic, immersive experiences that deal with diverse audiences locally and globally. Through strategic collaborations and technological advancements, this project strives to extend the tourism season, deepen visitor engagement, and reinforce Gallipoli’s identity as a cultural destination steeped in historical richness. This paper provides a first study of the design and development of digital experiences within Gallipoli, by a description of the XR applications developed and the methodology adopted.