New Multimedia Totems Enhance the Archaeological Park of Ostia

Multimedia totems at the Archaeological Park of Ostia

The Archaeological Park of Ostia has installed multimedia totems and QR-access points to improve visitor access and interpretation through virtual tours, videos and digital reconstructions.

Devices are distributed across several locations to complement recent diagnostic investigations and virtual reconstructions, making archaeological assets more accessible to a wider public.

• Ostia: two totems near the Palazzo del Governatorato and Piazza della Stazione Vecchia; an immersive station will soon be available at the Fornici in the Ostia Antica excavations.
• Fiumicino: three installations (two on via Torre Clementina and one on Lungomare della Salute) and a virtual reconstruction of the so-called Capitaneria di Porto building at the Museo delle Navi.
• Fregene: one totem on via della Pineta.

The initiative, called S.T.Ar.T Ostia (Technological Solutions for Archaeology and the Territory), is funded by the Lazio Region through the Lazio Innova agency and implemented by the Archaeological Park. Methods used include photogrammetry and laser scanning to produce 2D and 3D reconstructions of domus, nymphaea and tombs.

• Targeted areas: parts of Regio IV in Ostia Antica (Domus of Giove Fulminatore, Nymphaeum of the Erotes, Domus of the Fishes, Domus of the Carnation, Caupona of the Peacock).
• Fiumicino actions: virtual access to the Capitaneria building on the eastern quay of the Claudio Basin.
• Necropolis of Isola Sacra: tomb no. 57 was surveyed and digitally reconstructed to display the frescoes kept in storage.

This rollout enables visitors to access rich interpretative content where physical entry is limited: totems offer multimedia guides, virtual routes and educational materials accessible via smartphone or the built-in screens.

Practical tips: on arrival, locate the totems and scan QR codes to start tours and videos; use headphones for immersive experiences. For opening times and guided tours, consult the Archaeological Park's official channels.