Inauguration of an immersive experience at Thiene Castle

An immersive experience at Thiene Castle: inauguration of the new multimedia tour

In the heart of the Veneto region, just a few kilometers from Vicenza, stands the majestic Thiene Castle, a 15th-century architectural gem that represents a harmonious fusion of Gothic and Renaissance elements.

Today, this pre-Palladian jewel is not only a historical and artistic marvel, but also an innovative example of how technology can enhance cultural heritage and make history accessible to all.

Thanks to a new interactive tour, visitors can immerse themselves in a multisensory experience, discovering the life and environments of the past through a series of innovative interventions using advanced technologies such as augmented reality and interactive mirrors.

As reported by the newspaper Il Giornale di Vicenza, the project stems from the family's desire to further enhance the castle by enhancing the museum itinerary with rich content and innovative visiting methods. The main goal is to improve the visitor experience, making it engaging and interactive. Through the introduction of new narratives, the history of the Venetian Villa comes to life in a whole new way, offering an immersive view of life at the castle through quizzes, historical reconstructions, and the fascinating “magic mirrors.”

The Magic Mirrors: a journey into the past

Magic mirrors are one of the most surprising elements of the Thiene Castle tour, as highlighted in an article in the newspaper Corriere del Veneto. These interactive mirrors are activated every time a visitor approaches, projecting images, music and stories that tell of past activities: from board games to ladies' hobbies to the history of horses and horse breeds. Interacting with these mirrors allows visitors to experience everyday moments from the past in a fun and educational way, making the experience accessible to all ages.

Another fascinating aspect of this project is the use of augmented reality, as reported  the family travel blog Diverti Viaggio. Thanks to an app developed by the Portuguese studio VizitAR, visitors can virtually explore the castle and its surroundings, from the splendid 16th-century stables to the aristocratic chapel to the grotto with shells and birds.

This technology allows visitors to see what life was like at the castle in its heyday, offering a 360-degree experience of the past, with information in four languages.

A comprehensive project for a spectacular experience

The success of this initiative was made possible by the collaboration of a number of international and national partners, as reported by Elle Decor. Milan-based multidisciplinary studio Dotdotdot designed the magic mirrors while Vizitart, a Portuguese company handled the development of the App and the 360-degree historical reconstructions, while Artshell handled the digitization of the main works displayed in the rooms of the historic castle. In addition, the Veneto Region co-funded the project as part of a call for the ecological and digital transition of culture, confirming the importance of preserving and promoting the region's cultural heritage.

As explained by Francesca Mandelli, Head of Content Strategy & Storytelling at Dotdotdotdot, “The real value of this project lies in its ability to tell stories in a contemporary and engaging way, bringing the past to life through new languages and technologies. This innovative approach to storytelling makes it possible to attract an increasingly demanding and diverse audience, broadening the accessibility of cultural heritage to a wider audience.”

The leading cultural magazine Artribune also stressed the importance of this project for the area, highlighting how the enhancement of cultural heritage through technology can help increase tourism in the Thiene and Pedemontana area. Francesca di Thiene, who spearheaded the project, expressed the desire that this initiative become a model for other historic residences in the Veneto region, particularly those that are part of the Associazione Dimore Storiche Italiane (ADSI) and Dimore Amiche del Veneto.

A Heritage to discover

Thiene Castle, as reported by the magazine Food & Wine, represents one of the most striking noble residences in the Veneto region. Despite being called a “castle,” it is actually a fortified villa that combines medieval and Renaissance elements. Its unique architecture, with towers, battlements and frescoes, testifies to the importance of the Porto family in the 15th century and continues to enchant visitors with its timeless beauty.

Thanks to the new multimedia tour, visitors can now explore the castle in a whole new way, discovering the mansion's secrets and immersing themselves in the life of the past. The project, created by Portuguese studio VizitAR and Milan-based studio Dotdotdot, also offers access to detailed content on the artworks, furnishings and historical events related to the castle, the digital inventory created by Milan-based company Artshell allows the cultural heritage to be preserved for future generations.

In conclusion, Thiene Castle represents a perfect example of how technology can be used to enhance cultural heritage, making it accessible and engaging to a diverse audience. Thanks to the commitment of the Thiene family and the collaboration of international partners, this historic house continues to tell its story in an innovative way, helping to promote cultural tourism in the region and safeguard its precious heritage.

Thiene Castle thanks

We would like to express our most sincere gratitude to all the partners who have made possible the realization of this extraordinary project for the enhancement of Thiene Castle. Special thanks go to the Veneto Region, whose support through the Action 1.3.11 call for the ecological and digital transition of culture provided a solid foundation for innovation.

Thanks to the Portuguese studio VizitAR for creating the augmented reality app, to the Milan-based studio Dotdotdot for creating the fascinating interactive mirrors, and to Artshell for their work in digitizing the main works.

Special thanks to Weble, the marketing agency that handled the digital marketing part. Thanks to Emedia Group for media relations and PR management. Last but not least, a heartfelt thanks goes to Dr. Paolo Giulini, Founding Partner of Culture Edition and Board Member of UBI Fondazione CAB, for his valuable contribution in integrating the different partners of the project, ensuring a result of great satisfaction and impact.