The Last Days of Pompeii: The Immersive Exhibition

DIGIMUSE ENTER BEST PRACTICES

Overview

Objectives:

The exhibition aims to transport visitors back in time to the city that symbolized the emerging power of the Roman Empire, allowing them to explore its lifestyle, customs, cuisine, and experience firsthand the tragic end brought by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

Target group:

General visitors, families with children.

Info

Organisation name: MAD: Madrid Artes Digitales (Madrid Digital Arts)

Spain

Activity:

Museum

Contact

atencionclientes@madridartesdigitales.com

Website

Link to initiative:

https://madridartesdigitales.com/agenda/pompeya/

Strengths

Strengths

Advanced immersive technology like 360° projections, VR, and the metaverse create a unique experience
Digital tools make culture accessible to diverse audiences
Immersive experiences improve learning and memory
Interactive elements encourage curiosity and emotional connection

Opportunities

Potential to expand into new international markets
Chance to partner with educational and cultural institutions
Ongoing tech improvements could enhance VR and metaverse experiences
Opportunity to create permanent exhibitions in other locations
Virtual tours and live events can attract remote audiences

Weaknesses

Weaknesses

Appeals mainly to tech-savvy visitors, limiting audience
Needs specialized staff and resources for setup
Requires a lot of space for large-scale exhibitions

Threats

More competition from other immersive exhibits may reduce uniqueness
Economic downturns and budget cuts can impact sales
Changes in public interests might lower engagement

Digital Solutions

Projectors
Servers and computers
VR headsets
VR navigation controllers
Metaverse platform
3D modelling software
Projectors for video mapping
Video mapping software
Dynamic lighting systems

Demonstrable positive impacts

The exhibition makes history more interactive and emotionally compelling. The technologies used improve educational value by promoting experiential learning and better knowledge retention. The exhibition increases cultural accessibility, allowing diverse audiences, including those with physical disabilities and younger generations, to engage more easily. It also extends its global reach through collaborations with prestigious institutions, raising its cultural impact. Additionally, the exhibition sets a technological standard for other museums, showcasing how digital innovations can create more engaging and educational experiences.

Skills & knowledge required

Knowledge of VR, AR, and 360° projection to run the tech smoothly
Skills in 3D modeling, video mapping, and designing immersive media
Ability to manage servers, powerful computers, and networks
Understanding how to combine digital content with historical stories
Expertise in making digital experiences engaging and easy to use for all audiences
Quick problem-solving skills to keep technology running without issues

Transferable innovative principles and methods

The Last Days of Pompeii exhibition adopts transferable innovative principles that combine immersive technologies with advanced educational methodologies. Using 360° projections and three-dimensional sound environments, visitors experience an engaging journey through the city of Pompeii, exploring its streets and temples. Technologies such as virtual reality and the metaverse offer personalized interactive experiences, allowing participants to explore historical environments like the Villa of the Mysteries, interacting with avatars and digital scenarios. Simulations of historical events, such as the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, promote experiential learning, stimulating emotions and curiosity.

Methodology

The immersive exhibition employs a multi-sensory digital approach that combines:
360° projections and dynamic lighting to recreate ancient Pompeii's atmosphere.
Virtual reality (VR) headsets and navigation controllers to allow visitors to explore digital reconstructions of Pompeii landmarks like the Villa of the Mysteries.
Video mapping and 3D modeling software to simulate realistic environments and events, such as the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
Metaverse integration, enabling personalized, interactive engagement with avatars and virtual environments.

This methodology promotes experiential learning, combining storytelling with interactivity to deepen understanding and memory retention.

Resources needed and start-up costs

Implementing a similar exhibition requires:

Projectors and dynamic lighting systems – €5,000–€50,000+ depending on scale.
High-performance servers and computers – Approx. €3,000–€10,000 per unit.
VR headsets and controllers (e.g., Meta Quest, HTC Vive) – €400–€1,200 each.
Metaverse or immersive platform licensing – €1,000+ annually or custom development costs.
3D modeling and video mapping software (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine, Resolume) – Some tools are free; pro licenses can cost €300–€2,000+.
Technical staff and specialists – €30,000–€100,000+ annually (depending on team size and expertise).

Total start-up costs can range from €50,000 to €500,000+, depending on scale, custom development, and staffing.

Possible low cost solution

To implement a simplified or low-cost version:

Use low-cost or refurbished VR headsets (e.g., Meta Quest 2) – around €300.
Replace metaverse elements with interactive 360° tours using platforms like ThingLink or Genial.ly – from free to €25/month.
Use free 3D modeling tools (e.g., Blender) and game engines (Unity or Unreal Engine – free tiers available).
Replace large-scale projections with desktop-based simulations or mobile AR experiences (e.g., WebAR via 8thWall or ZapWorks – free or basic plans available).
Partner with local universities for student collaborations on 3D assets and immersive storytelling.

This brings the entry-level cost down to €1,000–€5,000, with scalable upgrades later.