Valencia Leads the Digital Revolution in Museums: 20 Cultural Spaces Will Be Accessible Virtually.

Valencia, renowned for its rich cultural and artistic heritage, is taking a bold step into the future of museology. In an innovative move that promises to transform the visitor experience, Valencia City Council has announced an ambitious project to digitise nearly 20 museums and unique buildings in the city, making them virtually accessible to the public around the world.

An ambitious project

Valencia City Council has taken a significant step towards the modernisation of its cultural offer. The municipal institution has announced the tender for a contract to develop an ambitious digitalisation project, with an investment of approximately 170,000 euros, financed with European Next Generation funds. This initiative will allow citizens and visitors to explore the city's museums and main monuments without leaving home. The council highlights that this new commitment seeks to value the Valencian museum heritage, offering the possibility of touring these cultural spaces from any mobile device or computer.

Spaces Included in the Project

Among the spaces that will be digitized are:

1. The Silk Exchange (World Heritage Site)

2. Archaeological Centre of l'Almoina

3. The Almudín

4. Houses-museums of Benlliure, Blasco Ibáñez and Concha Piquer

5. Museum of Natural Sciences

6. Museum of the Maritime Holy Week

7. Municipal Historical Museum

8. Museum of History of Valencia

9. Rice Museum

10. Corpus Museum

11. Fallero Museum

12. Cervelló Palace

13. St. Vincent Prison

14. Tossal Gallery

15. Three air-raid shelters (Serranos Street, Massarrojos Street and the town hall building)

State-of-the-art technology

The project contemplates the creation of virtual tours based on high-resolution 360-degree panoramic photographs. This will allow users to tour the various museums and monuments from any device, offering an immersive experience that includes:

- 3D navigation through each exhibition hall

- Detailed information and high-resolution images of featured parts

- Digitization of facades and access spaces

- Full coverage of the rooms, no blind spots

Beyond Visualization

The contract not only covers visual digitization, but also the elaboration of complementary texts and images to enrich the virtual visit experience. In addition, the City Council is working on the implementation of an accessible digital signage system, specifically aimed at people with visual disabilities.

Impact and Benefits:

1. Global Accessibility: It allows people from all over the world to explore Valencian heritage without the need to physically travel.

2. Digital Preservation: Creates a detailed digital record of these cultural spaces, contributing to their preservation for future generations.

3. Tourism Promotion: As Councilor Moreno points out, this project "will promote more, if possible, our rich cultural heritage and will be able to attract visitors, no longer virtual, both to our city and to the cultural centers themselves".

4. Education and Research: It offers new opportunities for students and researchers to access and study these cultural spaces remotely.

5. Inclusivity: With the future implementation of accessible digital signage, the project also seeks to include people with visual disabilities.

Deadlines and Expectations

The winning company will have a maximum period of 6 months to develop the project, which means that Valencians and the global public could enjoy these virtual tours at the beginning of next year.

This project positions Valencia as a pioneering city in the adoption of digital technologies for the promotion and preservation of its cultural heritage. By combining the city's rich history with the latest technological innovations, Valencia is not only preserving its past, but also building bridges to the future, making its culture accessible and engaging to a global audience in the digital age.

In addition to the City Council's initiative, several museums and attractions in Valencia already offer fascinating virtual experiences. From the Oceanographic to the Science Museum, these tours allow you to explore the best of Valencia from the comfort of your own home. For a complete guide to all the virtual tours available, don't miss our blog post Virtual Valencia.