It all started with a simple question: How can we help people not just learn about tradition, but really feel it?
That’s the challenge we at MOPTIL took on when we began working with the MATeL Museum in Lozzo di Cadore, a small but remarkable space in the Dolomites dedicated to the traditions of milk and dairy production. Today, after months of development, collaboration, and a little bit of magic, we’re proud to say that challenge became reality.
Building Something That Belongs
When we first visited the MATeL Museum, we knew we didn’t want to just layer technology over history. We wanted to build something that felt like it belonged there. Something grounded. Familiar. Real.
Working closely with the museum’s team and local historians, we spent weeks digging into the details of traditional milk processing: from how butter was churned, to how cheese was stored and aged. With their guidance, we scripted and filmed scenes with local actors on green screen, capturing the rhythm and gestures of daily life in a bygone era. Then, using Unity, we carefully placed these scenes throughout the museum.
Now, when a visitor holds up a device, they see life-sized figures appear beside the actual tools and workspaces, demonstrating techniques in a way that’s immediate and clear. It’s not just storytelling, it’s a kind of time travel. We also added a special feature: a large printed map inside the museum that, when scanned, opens up into a 3D AR landscape of Lozzo di Cadore. Visitors can explore hidden stories and discover points of interest throughout the area, all with a few taps on their screen.
The Big Day
On Saturday, May 17, we officially launched the app, and to be honest, we weren’t sure what to expect. But what we got was a room full of energy, curiosity, and genuine excitement.
The day started with a guided walk along the village’s historic canal and craft spaces, followed by a live demo of the AR app inside the museum. Watching people react, laughing, pointing, leaning in closer, was one of the most rewarding moments of the entire journey. Later, we screened a short documentary about Lozzo, followed by behind-the-scenes footage from our filming sessions. The actors were there too, and when they stood up to be recognized, the applause said it all.
The event wrapped up with warm words from President Grazioso Piazza, who spoke about how technology like this can open new doors for education, especially in smaller communities like Lozzo. And of course, we ended with local cheese and good company.
What Comes Next
This project means a lot to us, not just because it’s our first launch in Italy, but because it shows what’s possible when innovation stays grounded in place, people, and story. We’re already in talks with other museums and cultural sites that want to explore similar experiences. The goal isn’t to turn heritage into entertainment. It’s to help people connect with it, to understand it better, feel closer to it, and maybe even care more deeply because of it.
The MATeL app is available in Italian, English, and German, and for now, it’s exclusively for use at the museum. But this is just the beginning for MOPTIL Italia. There’s more to come. Until then, if you find yourself in Lozzo di Cadore, we hope you’ll stop by, take a walk through history, and see the past come to life in a whole new way.
