The Foundation of the Hellenic World, and specifically the Virtual Reality department, utilizes advanced Virtual Reality technology so that learning is achieved through the combination of imagination and active participation by the visitor. Consequently, visitors to The «Hellenic Cosmos» Cultural Centre have the opportunity to approach the past in a modern and lively way. They can experience history, explore geographical spaces, and discover the architecture of ancient cities in a journey through time with stops at places of our cultural heritage. The systems in operation are:
The «Tholos», the new domed Virtual Reality theater of the Foundation, with a capacity of 132 people, is housed in a high-architectural building. Thanks to its unique technological infrastructure, it makes the Foundation's digital collections accessible to the public and constitutes a unique "tool" for research and development in visualization and presentation of cultural content. The «Tholos» offers the capability of monoscopic and stereoscopic projection across the entire domed surface, for the first time globally, and there are also possibilities for integrating live events into the virtual space. The projections, supported by an array of powerful computing systems, are interactive, controlled by the viewer, and not static. This is a unique immersive experience in the virtual world, characterized by immediacy, flexibility, originality, and vitality.
The Virtual Reality (VR) Headsets offered at The «Hellenic Cosmos» Cultural Centre provide visitors with a unique opportunity to experience an unparalleled virtual tour. Through the advanced technology integrated into these headsets, visitors can be transported to different eras and places, discovering the beauty and history of significant cities and cultural heritage monuments.
With the assistance of experienced museum educators, the tour becomes even more exciting, as detailed information and engaging stories are provided for each location. VR technology not only offers images but creates the sensation that the visitor is truly inside the space they are exploring. This experience highlights the importance of our cultural heritage in a vivid and captivating manner.
The VR headset program is suitable for all ages and is ideal for families, school groups, and individual visitors who want to experience a different dimension of culture. Through this exciting experience, visitors not only learn but also feel connected to history and culture in a journey that remains unforgettable.
The «Virtual Cinema» is a large bright screen with a width of 3.2 meters and a height of 2.4 meters. The resolution of the image is 1024 x 768. These dimensions allow about twenty people to stand comfortably in front of the screen. The projection device is placed above and in front of the screen, in such a position that it does not obstruct the projection. With the help of stereoscopic glasses, visitors have the sensation of "immersing" into the environment created by the three-dimensional digital graphics. Additionally, with the help of an interactive hand-held device, one of the visitors can guide the tour and actively participate in the exploration, and sometimes even in the modification of the virtual environment. The «Virtual Cinema» is utilized by the Foundation to transport both young and old to magical worlds of our cultural heritage.
The «Kivotos», located within the «Hellenic Cosmos», is an impressive environment where visitors participate in virtual journeys. The system is an entire room measuring 3x3x3 meters, where every wall and the floor serve as projection screens. Each screen displays a digital image produced by an electronic supercomputer. Around ten people can fit inside the «Kivotos», wearing special glasses. These glasses allow them to view the projected image stereoscopically, giving users the sense of depth, the impression that the image has a third dimension, and that they are immersed in it. With the help of an interactive hand-held device resembling a 3D mouse, visitors can navigate through the projected image or interact with it.
All Virtual Reality systems operate daily at the «Hellenic Cosmos» and are open to the public. They are one of the few examples of using this advanced technology in the cultural sector. The Virtual Reality productions are exclusively created at the Foundation of the Hellenic World by its specialized staff.