Italia-Croatia

13/05/2026

The ARCHAEODIGIT project is proud to be featured in the latest issue of Archeologia Viva (n. 237, May/June 2026) through the article “Italy and Croatia when the parks speak”.

The article reflects on a central idea shared by the ARCHAEODIGIT project: archaeological parks should not be understood as isolated open-air museums separated from everyday life, but as living cultural landscapes where traces of the past remain deeply connected with contemporary communities.

Archaeological Parks as Living Landscapes

Inspired by the principles of the European Landscape Convention, the publication highlights how archaeological heritage can become an active driver for participation, cultural identity, tourism, and local development.

The text retraces the evolution from earlier international experiences such as the Transfer Project to the current ARCHAEODIGIT project, focusing on four emblematic case studies on both shores of the Adriatic:

• Helvia Ricina
• Sepino
• Fulfinum-Mirine
• Kaštela

Digital Technologies and Public Engagement

One of the key themes explored in the article is the role of digital technologies in archaeological parks. Within ARCHAEODIGIT, technology is presented not as an instrument of spectacularization, but as a tool to strengthen the identity of places and foster meaningful interaction between heritage and visitors.

The article showcases several innovative approaches developed by the project partners:

• At Fulfinum-Mirine, interactive totems, online exhibitions, and gaming experiences reconnect visitors with archaeological materials and the history of the site.
• In Kaštela, storytelling technologies help narrate the “invisible” underwater heritage through tactile 3D reconstructions and audio interaction.
• At Sepino, 3D scanning and digital modeling bring monuments and urban spaces back to life through immersive visualisation.
• At Helvia Ricina, artistic installations and digital narratives reinterpret the monumental Roman theatre and the visitor experience.

The article also emphasizes the importance of the ARCHAEODIGIT digital ecosystem, including the shared platform, mobile applications, and integrated website designed to connect archaeological parks, visitors, researchers, and local stakeholders.

Four Parks, Shared Heritage

The publication dedicates extensive attention to the historical and archaeological significance of the four Archaeodigit parks.

• At Fulfinum-Mirine, the remains of the Roman municipium and the monumental early Christian basilica testify to the strategic role of the northern Adriatic between the Roman and Late Antique periods.
• Helvia Ricina emerges as one of the most important Roman urban centers of the Marche region, with its theatre, road system, and still partially unexplored urban fabric preserving the memory of a thriving Roman municipality.
• The park of Sepino is presented as a unique cultural landscape where archaeology, environment, and the historic routes of transhumance coexist in extraordinary harmony.
• Finally, Kaštela reveals the importance of maritime trade and coastal infrastructures in Roman Dalmatia, thanks to exceptional underwater discoveries and port structures connected to the ancient routes of the Adriatic.

Strengthening Cross-Border Collaboration

The publication in Archeologia Viva represents an important recognition for the ARCHAEODIGIT project and for the collaborative work carried out by Italian and Croatian partners over recent years.
By combining archaeological research, digital innovation, public engagement, and cultural cooperation, Archaeodigit continues to contribute to a shared vision of heritage as a living resource for contemporary communities across the Adriatic region.

ARCHAEODIGIT is implemented through the contribution from EU co-financing and the Interreg Italy–Croatia Programme.