The Andalusian Public Foundation - El legado andalusí has unveiled an immersive brochure that offers a captivating glimpse into World Heritage sites using the latest advancements in technology, thanks to the iHERITAGE project. This groundbreaking publication is a significant output of the program's communication efforts, showcasing the fusion of cultural heritage and cutting-edge virtual and immersive reality experiences.

In a collaboration that commenced in September 2020 and is set to conclude in mid-November 2023, the iHERITAGE project has made remarkable strides. The Andalusian Public Foundation El legado andalusí, operating under the Regional Government of Andalusia, has played a pivotal role in achieving the project's goals. The iHERITAGE project primarily focuses on the development of an ICT Mediterranean platform for UNESCO cultural heritage, with a strong emphasis on innovative applications of technologies like virtual and immersive reality.

As the eighth partner in the iHERITAGE project, the El legado andalusí Foundation has successfully delivered innovative products and emerging technologies. These endeavors have primarily centered on virtual and immersive reality. 

The immersive brochure was a collaborative endeavor involving key partners in the iHERITAGE project, including the Jordan Society for Scientific Research, Entrepreneurship, and Creativity (JSSREC) and the Department of Architecture at the University of Palermo (UNIPA), along with the El legado andalusí Foundation. This transnational co-publication has been brought to life through the concerted efforts of these entities.

The immersive brochure is enriched with insightful articles that delve into the realm of culture, heritage, and immersive technologies. El legado andalusí contributed two articles to the publication:

"Communicating Heritage in the Digital Era: Exhibition Gardens"
This article explores the contemporary approach to understanding culture and heritage through immersive technologies and ICT. It sheds light on the utilization of innovative products, such as holography, 360º videos, and Virtual Archaeological Reconstructions, to interpret the UNESCO-recognized Granada heritage.

"Innovative Technologies at the Service of Heritage Interpretation: Gardens. Heritage and Dreams"
Focusing on innovative products used to interpret Granada's UNESCO-recognized heritage, this article delves into the application of technologies like holography, 360º videos, and Virtual Archaeological Reconstructions. It showcases how these technologies breathe new life into the rich heritage of Granada.

The University of Palermo and JSSREC also made significant contributions to the immersive brochure. The University of Palermo's article, "Discovering Gardens and Buildings of Arab-Norman Palermo UNESCO World Heritage Site through Innovative ICT Products," presents the Arab-Norman heritage of Palermo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015. It provides a detailed account of the creation processes of holographies depicting iconic structures and gardens, including the Zisa and Cuba palaces.

JSSREC's article, "Insights on Landscaped Gardens of Desert Culture: The Umayyad and the Nabataean Gardens," takes readers on a journey through the ancient gardens of the Umayyad palaces in the desert castles of Amman and the Nabataean city of Petra. It illuminates how these civilizations ingeniously cultivated gardens and orchards in arid landscapes by optimizing rainwater.

The immersive brochure is designed to be engaging and interactive. It includes QR codes that, when scanned using mobile devices, provide direct access to recreations and holographies developed by the three collaborating institutions featured in the publication. This interactive feature allows readers to immerse themselves in the world of virtual heritage.

The iHERITAGE project, with the dedicated efforts of its partners and contributors, has brought cultural heritage to life in unprecedented ways. The immersive brochure is a testament to the possibilities offered by virtual and immersive reality technologies in exploring and preserving our rich heritage. As we approach the project's conclusion in mid-November 2023, we eagerly anticipate the continued evolution of these innovative approaches to heritage interpretation. iHERITAGE's groundbreaking work serves as a beacon for the future of cultural preservation and exploration.

Access the immersive brochure through this link!