Virtual Reality
at
Foundation of the Hellenic World

Virtual Reality «Tholos»

«Tholos», the new domed Virtual Reality theater of the Foundation, with a capacity of 132 people, is housed in a high-architectural value 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.

http://www.tholos254.gr/

The "Tholos" resembles a planetarium in its physical and architectural characteristics. In essence, however, the only feature the two share is the hemispherical shape of their projection surface.

The Tholos’ spherical exterior evokes the image of a celestial body in motion. This impression is achieved through the treatment of its surfaces and the careful selection of materials, including the concentric rings that envelop its outer shell and the specially designed lighting that accentuates its form after dark.

As a result, the "Tholos" has become an iconic symbol of the "Hellenic Cosmos" Cultural Centre and a distinctive landmark along Pireos Avenue.

The presentations are interactive and visitor-controlled, rather than static. They offer a unique immersive experience within a virtual world, characterized by real-time responsiveness, flexibility, originality, and a vivid sense of presence.

Hagia Sophia: 1,500 Years of History

A monument-symbol of global cultural heritage. A state-of-the-art Tholos Virtual Reality theatre. Years of thorough scientific research by the staff and scientific collaborators of the Foundation of the Hellenic World. These elements compose the "setting" of the new interactive Virtual Reality production "Hagia Sophia: 1,500 Years of History," which is a complete digital representation of the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople and was specifically created for the Virtual Reality theatre "Tholos" of the «Hellenic Cosmos» Cultural Centre.

Viewers are invited on a unique journey of discovery. A captivating tour for young and old alike, in which visitors are not merely observers but participate in various scenarios and explorations. The interior of the temple, its architectural design, sculptural and mosaic decorations are fully detailed, while the various construction phases of the monument and significant historical, social, and economic aspects of Byzantine life are presented. This new interactive production offers the public the opportunity to visit this iconic site and observe it as it was during its prime.

A Walk Through Ancient Miletus

Located on the western coast of Asia Minor, Miletus was one of the most important cities of Ionia. Today, it is brought back to life through the Virtual Reality production Interactive Tour of Ancient Miletus.

Developed for the immersive environment of "Tholos", this production incorporates a range of innovative technical features that enable visitors to explore the virtual city freely through multiple interactive paths, rather than following a predetermined route.

Among its most notable features is the realistic vegetation, which responds dynamically to changes in the direction and intensity of the virtual wind. The production also incorporates a dynamic solar positioning model, accurately calculating the position of the sun according to the site's geographical coordinates and the selected historical date, thereby enhancing the realism of the virtual environment.

A Walk Through Ancient Olympia

The Virtual Reality production "A Walk Through Ancient Olympia", presented in "Tholos", the Foundation of the Hellenic World's hemispherical Virtual Reality theatre at the "Hellenic Cosmos" Cultural Centre, offers a comprehensive exploration of the Sanctuary of Ancient Olympia as it appeared during the 2nd century BC.

Monuments and sacred buildings come to life, allowing visitors to experience the atmosphere of the Olympic Games, witness their athletic contests and religious ceremonies, and discover the history of one of antiquity's most important Panhellenic sanctuaries.

During the virtual tour, visitors can explore the Temple of Zeus, a masterpiece of Doric architecture renowned for its magnificent sculptural decoration; the Heraion, the sanctuary's oldest monumental building, dedicated to the goddess Hera; the Gymnasium, where javelin throwers, discus throwers, and runners trained; the Palaestra, used by wrestlers, jumpers, and boxers; the Leonidaion, which accommodated distinguished guests; the Bouleuterion, where athletes, their relatives, and the judges swore to uphold the rules of the Games; the Stadium, the venue for most of the athletic events; the Treasuries of various Greek cities, which housed valuable votive offerings; and the Philippeion, dedicated by Philip II of Macedon following his victory at the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BC.

Interactive Tour of the Ancient Agora of Athens

The Virtual Reality production "Interactive Tour of the Ancient Agora of Athens", presented in "Tholos", was developed entirely by the Foundation of the Hellenic World as part of its broader mission to promote Hellenic history and culture. Thanks to its advanced technological infrastructure, the production continues to evolve, while its interactive design allows visitors to choose their own route through the virtual environment, creating a unique experience with every visit.

The production is the result of a multidisciplinary collaboration involving the Foundation's scientific staff and external specialists. The Foundation gratefully acknowledges the invaluable contribution of Professor Petros Themelis, Alkistis Choremi, former Director of the First Ephorate of Classical and Prehistoric Antiquities, Professor John Camp, Director of the Ancient Agora Excavations, Dr. Richard Anderson, architect of the Ancient Agora Excavations, and architects Giannis Tsiomis and George Andreadis, for generously providing their digital topographical work depicting the wider area of the Ancient Agora of Athens as it appears today.

Special thanks are also extended to the First Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities for granting access to the archaeological site, providing documentation, and offering its continuous support throughout the project, as well as to the American School of Classical Studies at Athens for supplying valuable documentation and contributing to the successful realization of the production.

Interactive Tour of the Ancient Agora of Athens

Visitors are guided through the Ancient Agora by a specially trained museum educator and are free to determine the route of their virtual exploration. The reconstruction presents the Agora at three distinct moments in its history, enabling visitors to understand its evolution over time and the changing functions of the site, as reflected in its architectural and urban development.

The Classical Agora (c. 400 BC) emphasizes the importance of public administrative buildings and the existence of a large open space used for public gatherings and athletic activities.

The Hellenistic Agora (c. 150 BC) is characterized by its impressive commercial stoas and highlights the benefactions of the Hellenistic rulers.

Finally, the Roman Agora (c. AD 150) illustrates the site's gradual decline as the city's administrative and commercial center, while simultaneously revealing its transformation into an important religious and cultural hub, marked by the construction of new temples, an odeon, a library, and a nymphaeum.

Interactive Tour of the Acropolis of Athens

Step into "Tholos" and travel back to 5th-century BC Athens, where the monuments of the Acropolis are reconstructed before your eyes in remarkable detail, at their original scale and dimensions.

Through the use of advanced digital technologies, visitors have the opportunity to admire the Acropolis' most architecturally sophisticated monuments—including the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Propylaea—as well as the sculptures that adorned them, presented in three dimensions and with their original polychromy, faithfully recreating their appearance in antiquity.

Μυκηναϊκή Θήβα - Mycenaean Thebes

The Mycenaean Palace of Thebes, also known as the Kadmeion, dates to the Late Helladic III period (14th–13th centuries BC). It was one of the most important Mycenaean administrative centers (palaces) of mainland Greece and occupied the central area of the Cadmeia citadel. Its various administrative buildings and ancillary structures extended across a large part of the natural hill of Thebes.

Sections of the palace, decorated with magnificent frescoes, were excavated by Antonios Keramopoulos between 1906 and 1929, and later, between 1963 and 1995, by archaeologists of the 9th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities. Among the site's most significant discoveries are the archives of Linear B clay tablets, the inscribed stirrup jars that appear to have arrived from Crete carrying valuable goods, the so-called "Treasure Room", and the Armoury.

The Virtual Reality application developed as part of this project enables visitors to explore the palace as it originally appeared, rather than in its present archaeological state, while providing an engaging and accessible introduction to its history and significance. Designed for both educational and cultural purposes, the application serves as a valuable teaching aid and offers visitors to the region a unique opportunity to experience one of the most important administrative centers of the Mycenaean world through immersive digital technology.

http://boeotia.ime.gr/

Oracle of Trophonius

http://boeotia.ime.gr/

The project "Virtual Reality Applications in Boeotia: the Oracle of Trophonius and Mycenaean Thebes" was developed to showcase and promote the rich historical, archaeological, and cultural heritage of Boeotia through the use of innovative scientific methods and advanced digital technologies, making it accessible to both Greek and international audiences. The project resulted in the creation of the Digital Boeotian Cultural Encyclopedia, available online, together with Virtual Reality reconstructions of the Oracle of Trophonius and the Mycenaean Palace of Thebes. These immersive experiences were installed in specially designed exhibition spaces in Livadeia and Thebes, creating two distinctive cultural attractions for visitors to the region.

The project was designed and implemented by the Foundation of the Hellenic World in close collaboration with the Prefectural Administration of Boeotia, the Municipality of Livadeia, the Municipality of Thebes, the Municipal Enterprise of Thebes, and the Boeotian Regional Development and Investment Company. The Foundation of the Hellenic World was responsible for the project's scientific direction, overall administration, and implementation. The Municipality of Livadeia, in collaboration with the Boeotian Regional Development and Investment Company, developed the facilities that house the Virtual Museum in the Krya district of Livadeia, while also undertaking its operation and the promotion of the project within the local community. Similarly, the Municipality of Thebes, together with the Municipal Enterprise of Thebes, developed the facilities for the Virtual Museum located at the Municipality's Conference Centre, assuming responsibility for its local operation as well as its promotion and outreach within the local community.

Virtual Reconstruction of the "House of Dionysus" in Pella

The Foundation of the Hellenic World created a Virtual Reconstruction of one of the most important Hellenistic residences of Pella, the so-called "House of Dionysus", which was presented as part of the Louvre exhibition "Macedonia: The Kingdom of Alexander the Great", held from 13 October 2011 to 16 January 2012.

The house was conventionally named after the remarkable mosaic depicting Dionysus riding a panther, which decorated one of its andrones (banqueting rooms).

Journey to Ancient Priene

http://priene.tholos254.gr/

The Virtual Reality reconstruction of Ancient Priene is one of the Foundation of the Hellenic World's largest and most complete virtual representations to date, offering an exceptionally detailed recreation of an entire ancient city and its urban environment.

The interactive tour of Priene in the second half of the 2nd century BC, the period of the city's greatest prosperity, provides a comprehensive view of a complete and remarkably preserved urban ensemble. The city's Ecclesiasterion is one of the most renowned examples of this architectural type, while the Temple of Athena Polias is considered a landmark in the development and metrological standardization of Asia Minor architecture. Designed by Pytheos, the temple was still regarded, even three centuries later, as equal in significance to the Parthenon.

The city was built according to the Hippodamian urban planning system, following a strict geometric layout. As one of the steepest cities of antiquity, Priene required the construction of extensive artificial terraces, created through earthworks and supported by strong retaining walls, in order to accommodate its public buildings, sanctuaries, and architectural complexes. The public buildings were distinguished by their exceptional quality of construction, while residential areas were organized into city blocks containing eight houses of equal size—arranged in two rows of four—with appropriate adaptations according to their position within each block.

During the tour, visitors can explore not only the residential areas, but also the Agora and its stoas, the Ecclesiasterion, the Prytaneion, the sanctuary of Athena Polias with its temple and altar, the sanctuary of Zeus, as well as the other sacred sites of the city. The Theatre and the Gymnasia complete the journey through this small yet remarkable city of Asia Minor.

Thermopylae

Innovative Historical Information Centre of Thermopylae

The Foundation of the Hellenic World designed and produced the content of the digital applications developed for the "Innovative Historical Information Centre of Thermopylae" of the Municipality of Lamia. The Centre was inaugurated on Monday, 30 August 2010, as part of the cultural events "Thermopylae 2010", in the presence of representatives of the Foundation of the Hellenic World, local authorities, and a large number of visitors.

The visitor experience begins with a three-minute introductory film presented in the preliminary information area. Visitors then enter the interactive applications hall, where eight dynamic interactive tables present multimedia applications focusing on the historical context of the Battle of Thermopylae and its enduring legacy to the present day. Through an interactive exploration, visitors gather information about the battle and its significance.

The tour continues in the Virtual Reality hall, where visitors watch a 3D digital film presenting the military equipment and armaments of the Greeks and Persians, using specialized circular-polarization 3D glasses. The experience concludes with a journey through time: in the Virtual Reality application dedicated to the Battle of Thermopylae, visitors are transported to the battlefield, where they actively participate in the preparation of the soldiers before the confrontation.

A museum educator acts as a guide throughout the experience, using a wireless controller to navigate and assist visitors during their exploration. The Foundation of the Hellenic World was responsible for the historical, scientific, and artistic supervision and curatorial development of all the above applications.