Preserving Cyprus' medieval heritage digitally

Source: PIO press release

Within the framework of the European Program "DigiArc: Digital Arch of Greek-Cypriot Culture: Preservation and Enhancement of the Medieval Cultural Heritage in the Aegean and Cyprus Islands," the Department of Antiquities has acquired, installed, and put into operation four information points (info-kiosks) at the following medieval castles in Cyprus: Limassol Castle, Larnaca Castle, Paphos Castle, and Kolossi Castle.

The purpose of these information points is to provide visitors with comprehensive information regarding the historical background and significance of both the four medieval castles and the four observatories situated on Cyprus' southern coast: Pervolia (Kiteou), Xylophagou Gate, and Alaminos. This implementation, serving as a major milestone of the DigiArc project, was successfully accomplished through a close collaboration between the Department of Antiquities and the Cyprus University of Technology, the two partnering institutions from Cyprus involved in the European Program.

The e-book available at the information points is shared across all four locations and allows users to choose between Greek and English languages. Visitors exploring the four medieval castles can delve into the historical background of each monument and explore its architectural evolution through the digital book. Accompanying the texts are abundant photographs that document the present condition of the monuments, including images captured by the Department of Antiquities during their restoration efforts, as well as engravings and drawings from past centuries contributed by explorers and scholars.

A significant contribution and innovative feature is the integration of multimedia elements into the digital book, enhancing user interactivity and distinguishing it from the conventional structure of electronic documents, such as PDF files. The digital book available at the four information points incorporates three-dimensional models of each monument, meticulously created by the Cyprus University of Technology in collaboration with the Department of Antiquities. Additionally, a concise animation produced by the Cyprus University of Technology is seamlessly integrated. Moreover, there are future plans to incorporate a digital tour of Kolossi Castle, which the Cyprus University of Technology has already developed.

The digital book (ebook) can be accessed on the DigiArc project's website.

The project receives 85% of its funding from the European Union (European Regional Development Fund) and 15% from the national resources of Greece and Cyprus. The project involves participants from Greece, including the Ministry of Culture and Sports as the project's main beneficiary, the University of the Aegean, and the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Dodecanese. Cyprus is represented by the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus and the UNESCO Chair on Digital Cultural Heritage at the Cyprus University of Technology.