An interdisciplinary approach for Cultural Heritage valorisation through VR: the 'A cielo aperto' project of the Riolo Fortress

ABSTRACT Immersive technologies like VR have emerged as powerful tools for enhancing the enjoyment of cultural heritage, incrementing their use in cultural contexts. The visualisation of archaeological reconstructions needs historical rigor and scientific transparency; virtual approaches produce highly impactful representations but often compromise scientific accuracy and reliability. Moreover, VR development in museum contexts is frequently outsourced to external organisations, highlighting the lack of expertise among museum staff in managing these tools and the challenges in modifying or evolving their virtual scenarios. These considerations formed the “A cielo aperto” VR project, developed for the Riolo Fortress. The objective was the digital restitution of the Fortress and the connected territorial setups in their original 15th-century form, specifically focusing on developing a VR experience accessible from the East Tower. To create a communicative and engaging experience, an integrated methodology involving interdisciplinary expertise in surveying, virtual environment creation, and historical and archaeological knowledge was created. This approach ensured a historically reliable reconstruction enriched with engaging content to captivate and involve the audience.