MOPTIL – Mobile Optical Illusions has completed the development of the project “Center for the Historical and Cultural Promotion of the Municipality of Mylopotamos – Stavros & Lykourgos Kallergis” contributing to the digital presentation of the area’s historical memory, key figures, and monuments through modern virtual reality technologies and interactive audiovisual media.
The aim of the project is to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the Municipality of Mylopotamos by highlighting the historical figures of Stavros and Lykourgos Kallergis, while also connecting local history with the events of the Greek War of Independence and the more recent history of Crete. The narrative is built on an experiential approach, with digital media serving as the core “exhibits” of the experience.
Digital Storytelling Centered on People and Memory
As part of the project, a 15-minute documentary dedicated to the life and actions of Stavros Kallergis was produced and is presented within the Digital Museum space. At the same time, the audiovisual content highlights important historical events and monuments of the Mylopotamos region, integrating them into a unified narrative framework.
The experience is further enriched by a virtual reality (VR) application, which presents landmark historical events with a strong experiential character, such as the Holocaust of the Melidoni Cave, through a combination of 360-degree imagery, three-dimensional reconstructions, and animated representations of fighters of the era. In addition, the VR experience includes virtual tours of the martyr site of Gournolakkos on Mount Psiloritis and depicts the execution of residents of Mylopotamos by Nazi occupation forces in September 1943, strengthening the visitor’s emotional connection to historical memory.
Interactive Digital Map and Tourism Promotion
The project is complemented by an interactive three-dimensional digital map of Crete, through which visitors can explore points of interest within the Municipality of Mylopotamos using 360-degree images and videos. In this way, the experience extends beyond the museum space, also serving as a tool for cultural and tourism promotion of the region.
At the same time, a welcome website for the Municipality of Mylopotamos was developed, functioning both as a digital tourist guide and as a central hub for showcasing the project’s digital content. The website is also presented through interactive touch screens within the museum space, allowing visitors to explore the area and its monuments in a contemporary and user-friendly manner.
Technology in the Service of Cultural Heritage
MOPTIL’s contribution to the Municipality of Mylopotamos project was guided by the philosophy of immersive storytelling, where technology does not replace history but serves as a means of understanding and connecting with it. The design of the applications was carried out with respect for historical content and in close collaboration with the relevant authorities, ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and long-term sustainability.
Through this project, the Municipality of Mylopotamos gains a modern digital center for historical and cultural promotion, strengthening local identity, collective memory, and cultural education. For MOPTIL, the project represents yet another example of how technology can act as a bridge between past and present, creating experiences with meaningful social and cultural impact.
