(ANSA) - Visitors to Rome's famed Baths of Caracalla can as
of Wednesday admire its statues, marbles and fountains in their
ancient glory thanks to a special 3D visor.
It is the first time the technology has been used at an
archaeological site in Italy.
Now, for example, the waters of the huge Natatio can be seen
flowing among precious marbles, columns and capitals and the
magnificent roof of the Frigidarium towers over 50 m above the
vast space.
The gymnasiums where people exercised and the grand
colonnades where they met to chat and preen have also been
restored.
"It gives everyone a chance to make a trip back in time,"
said superintendent Francesco Prosperetti.
The initiative, "Caracalla IV dimensione", is the result of
painstaking historical and scientific work carried out in
partnership between the Rome special superintendent's office and
the national research council (CNR) with an investment by
Coopculture of 100,000 euros.
Initially 30 visors will be available to the visiting public,
but the aim is to increase the number before the summer, when
visitor numbers swell.
Games and digital maps could also be added to the offering in
due course.
Meanwhile, the project is also due to be extended to the
National Archaeological Museum of Naples, where visitors will be
able to admire the Farnese bull sculpture and other decorative
works removed by the Bourbons from Caracalla.
The itinerary at the baths is organised into 10 sections
allowing visitors to compare the current state of Caracalla and
its original appearance.
"We think our most important achievement has been to obtain
the effect of understanding the ancient structures," CNR expert
Francesco Antonucci said.
The project has made virtual reality "portable" and uses
"sustainable" technology that is easy to manage and use.
"I excavated the library in 1987, when technology such as
this couldn't even be imagined," said site director Marina
Piranomonte.
"Now thanks to this work 30 years of study and research
become the patrimony of all."
Visits with the virtual video guide cost 7 euros on top of
the 8 euro entrance fee. Booking is recommended at a cost of 2
euros.
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