Italia-Croatia

13/05/2026

A new milestone has been reached within the ARCHAEODIGIT project with the completion of D.3.2.1 – Set of Initial Management plans of the ARCHAEODIGIT archaeological areas, developed under Activity A.3.2 – Revision or Elaboration of Management Plans for the Archaeological Areas, with a Focus on Touristic Valorisation, within Work Package 3 dedicated to the testing of the ARCHAEODIGIT methodology and the development of a Joint Strategy.

1. Archaeological Park of Sepino (Italy)

The management plan for the Archaeological Park of Sepino outlines detailed operational strategies for the protection, conservation, and sustainable valorisation of the ancient Roman city of Saepinum. Key pillars of the plan include:

• Active Conservation: Implementing programmed, systematic maintenance for both the architectural monuments and the surrounding environmental heritage.
• Holistic Interpretation: Communicating the unique identity of Sepino by seamlessly integrating its archaeology, its rural landscape, and the historic tradition of transhumance.
• Digital Innovation: Enhancing the visitor experience through Augmented Reality (AR) applications along the paths, Virtual Reality (VR) reconstructions for monuments like the theatre, and a comprehensive mobile app.

2. Archaeological Park of Fulfinum-Mirine (Croatia)

For the coastal site of Fulfinum-Mirine in Omišalj, the management plan centers on preserving, interpreting, and valorising the park within its local tourism ecosystem. Highlights of the strategy include:

• Digital Interpretation: Introducing an interactive outdoor digital totem for self-guided navigation and a virtual exhibition that allows visitors to explore 3D scans of artifacts not currently on public display.
• Educational Engagement: Implementing the "Goose Game," a physical-digital interactive experience designed to encourage teamwork and learning for school groups and families.
• Tourism Integration: Connecting the park's offerings with the local tourism ecosystem, including active/adventure tourism and cycling routes, to boost year-round visibility.

3. Helvia Ricina Archaeological Area (Italy)

Located in Macerata, the strategic plan for Helvia Ricina aims to overcome current structural issues and transform the site into an active, accessible component of the city's cultural system. Strategic goals include:

• Museum Circuit Integration: Formally and operationally integrating the archaeological area into Macerata's city museum circuit to create connected, multi-site cultural itineraries.
• Universal Accessibility: Prioritizing the removal of architectural, cognitive, and sensory barriers, such as installing tactile maps and easy-to-read panels, to ensure the site is fully accessible to all visitors.
• Living Cultural Space: Promoting the exceptionally preserved Roman theatre as an active stage for contemporary community performances, concerts, and events.

4. Trstenik Underwater Archaeological Site (Croatia)

Managing the Trstenik site in Kaštel Sućurac demands highly specialized strategies due to its fragile submerged remains, which include rare wooden Roman ships and ancient port infrastructure. The management plan focuses on:

• In Situ Preservation: Prioritizing the protection of the underwater artifacts in their original location to prevent damage from environmental pressures or mass tourism.
• Virtual Accessibility: Compensating for the lack of physical access by utilizing Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) platforms, allowing users to virtually "dive" into the site from the Museum of the town of Kaštela.
• Sustainable Slower Tourism: Promoting sustainable, low-impact visitation models, such as controlled kayaking routes, to minimize the environmental footprint while engaging visitors.

The completion of this set of management plans marks a vital transition for the ARCHAEODIGIT project. With the management blueprints now established, our pilot sites are ready to implement these digital and sustainable pathways, transforming how both local communities and tourists interact with our shared European past.

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