Officially Launch of the Joint Pilot Action at the Archaeological Area of Helvia Recina
17/08/2026
The ARCHAEODIGIT project – ARCHAEOlogical DIGITal Paths for an Inclusive and Sustainable Tourism – has officially launched its Joint Pilot Action at the Archaeological Area of Helvia Recina, in Macerata, Italy.
Led by the Municipality of Macerata, the Pilot Action represents a major milestone within the project, introducing innovative digital solutions aimed at improving the interpretation, accessibility and visitor experience of one of the Adriatic-Ionian Region’s most important Roman archaeological sites.
Through the integration of archaeological research, immersive storytelling and advanced multimedia technologies, the initiative creates a new way of experiencing Helvia Recina, transforming historical knowledge into an engaging and accessible journey for diverse audiences.
Connecting visitors with the archaeological landscape through digital innovation
The main objective of the Joint Pilot Action is to strengthen the relationship between visitors and the archaeological site by offering new tools to understand its historical significance and cultural value. Thanks to the use of digital technologies, visitors can explore the evolution of Helvia Recina, discover the role of the ancient Roman city within the surrounding landscape and gain a deeper understanding of its archaeological heritage.
The experience has been designed around three interconnected spaces, creating a continuous narrative that accompanies visitors from their first introduction to the site to the immersive exploration of the Roman Theatre.
Three spaces, one immersive journey
The Welcome Room: introducing the history of Helvia Recina
The visitor experience begins in the Welcome Room, where large-format graphic panels introduce the history of the archaeological area through archival photographs, excavation images, maps and historical illustrations. The exhibition presents the rediscovery of the Roman Theatre, the archaeological investigations carried out over the years, the surrounding necropolises and future perspectives for research. Visitors are also invited to reflect on the fact that much of the ancient city remains underground, highlighting Helvia Recina as a living archaeological landscape that continues to reveal new discoveries.
The Interactive Multimedia Room: exploring the story of an ancient city
The second space offers an interactive multimedia experience centred around a large-format display activated through a proximity sensor. A five-minute audiovisual presentation guides visitors through the history of Helvia Recina, from the environmental and geographical context of the Potenza Valley and the earliest settlements, to the development of the Roman city, its transformation during Late Antiquity and its legacy up to the present day. Combining motion graphics, original illustrations, animated maps, voice-over narration and multilingual subtitles in Italian, English and Croatian, the installation allows both local and international visitors to engage with the history of the site.
The Immersive Installation: experiencing the Roman Theatre in a new dimension
The highlight of the Joint Pilot Action is the immersive installation dedicated to the Roman Theatre of Helvia Recina. Designed as a multimedia environment, the installation combines artistic creativity and digital innovation to present the theatre not only as an archaeological monument, but also as a place of performance, social interaction and cultural identity. Through immersive visual projections, digital scenography and innovative storytelling solutions, visitors can experience the atmosphere of the ancient theatre from a completely new perspective. The installation has been developed with accessibility in mind, ensuring an inclusive experience from both cognitive and sensory perspectives while respecting the archaeological context.
Innovation serving cultural heritage
Beyond the individual installations, the Joint Pilot Action is based on a unified visual identity and a coherent storytelling approach that connects archaeological research, historical interpretation and contemporary digital communication. Every element of the visitor experience – from the introductory panels to the multimedia productions and immersive environment – contributes to a seamless narrative designed to make cultural heritage more accessible, engaging and meaningful.
The initiative also includes dedicated staff training, a five-year maintenance programme and a scalable exhibition concept that can support future developments and technological updates.
Through the Helvia Recina Pilot Action, ARCHAEODIGIT demonstrates how digital innovation can contribute to the preservation, promotion and accessibility of archaeological heritage, creating new opportunities for sustainable and inclusive tourism across the Adriatic-Ionian Region.
