ATHENS, Greece. A visit to the Acropolis in Athens this holiday season promises more than just a glimpse into the past. Thanks to an innovative smartphone app, tourists can witness a resolution to one of the world’s most contentious cultural heritage debates.
With a simple smartphone and the aid of an app, visitors can now explore the ancient Greek site in astonishing detail. The app provides a digital overlay that reveals how the Acropolis and its surroundings looked thousands of years ago. This includes a captivating feature showcasing marble sculptures that were removed from the Parthenon over two centuries ago, currently on display at the British Museum in London, a point of contention between Greece and the United Kingdom.
For now, Greece’s Culture Ministry-backed app allows visitors to point their smartphones at the Parthenon temple, causing the sculptures located in London to reappear on the monument, as archaeologists believe they looked 2,500 years ago. This digital resurrection also brings to life lesser-known features of the Acropolis, such as the vibrant colors that adorned many of the sculptures and the fact that a statue of the goddess Athena in the Parthenon’s main chamber once stood over a shallow pool of water.
Shriya Parsotam Chitnavis, a tourist from London, expressed her amazement, saying, “That’s really impressive…the only time I’ve seen that kind of technology before is at the dentist.” After experiencing the app during a hot afternoon at the Acropolis, she added, “I didn’t know much about the (Acropolis), and I had to be convinced to come up here. Seeing this has made it more interesting — seeing it in color. I’m more of a visual person, so this being interactive really helped me appreciate it.”
This virtual restoration provides an engaging experience that can be accessed anywhere and may save some visitors the crowded uphill climb and lengthy wait to see the iconic monuments up close. Moreover, it could contribute to the country’s efforts to establish Greek cities as year-round tourist destinations.
Tourism is vital for Greece’s economy, and despite challenges such as wildfires in Rhodes and other areas this summer, the sector has rebounded strongly since the COVID-19 pandemic. In the period from January through July, the number of inbound visitors increased by 21.9% compared to the previous year, totaling 16.2 million visitors, and revenue rose by just over 20%, reaching 10.3 billion euros ($10.8 billion), according to the Bank of Greece.
The app, named “Chronos” after the mythological king of the Titans and the Greek word for “time,” employs augmented reality to superimpose the ancient representation of the site onto the smartphone screen, matching the real-world view as visitors explore the area.
Augmented reality (AR) technology is gradually becoming accessible to consumers, with a range of applications in professional and leisure activities. From medical surgery and military training to specialized machine repair and retail experiences, big tech companies like Meta and Apple are betting on a profitable future in immersive services.
Maria Engberg, co-author of the book “Reality Media” on augmented and virtual reality, predicts that AR and VR services for travelers will soon offer more integrated experiences, allowing for enhanced sharing options on tours and the overlaying of archive photos and videos. She noted that these technologies have lagged behind other digitally consumed content like games and movies but are poised for significant growth.
Greece’s Culture Ministry and national tourism authority, although late to embrace technology, have become enthusiastic advocates. They have used innovations such as the popular video game Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, which allows players to explore ancient Athens, to attract young travelers from China to Greece through state-organized contests. Microsoft also partnered with the Culture Ministry to launch an immersive digital tour at ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games.
Culture Minister Lina Mendoni emphasized the importance of making Greece’s ancient monuments more accessible, not only physically but also in the digital space. She stated, “Accessibility is extending to the digital space. Real visitors and virtual visitors anywhere around the world can share historical knowledge.”
Developed by Greek telecoms provider Cosmote, the free “Chronos” app is already equipped with features such as an artificial intelligence-powered virtual guide called Clio. The app’s creators have expressed their intention to build upon these features as technology and networks advance, ultimately providing even higher-quality content to mobile devices. The virtual reconstructions available through Chronos also extend to three other monuments at the Acropolis, an adjacent Roman theater, and parts of the Acropolis Museum located at the base of the hill.
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