Augmented Reality App Revives the Glory of Ancient Greek Landmarks, Signaling the Dawn of Future Technology

This holiday season, visitors to the Acropolis are presented with an opportunity to resolve one of the most contentious debates in the realm of cultural heritage—all via a smartphone.

By utilizing an application sanctioned by the Greek Culture Ministry, tourists can aim their smartphones at the Parthenon and see a digital recreation of how the temple originally appeared, complete with marble sculptures that were removed over two centuries ago and are currently housed in the British Museum in London—a matter that Greece has long argued should be rectified.

Additionally, the app reveals other less celebrated aspects of the Acropolis. For instance, many of the sculptures were originally vibrantly painted, and a statue of the goddess Athena in the Parthenon’s main chamber was positioned above a shallow body of water.

Shriya Parsotam Chitnavis, a London-based tourist, found the app to be instrumental in deepening her understanding of the site. “It added a layer of interactivity that enhanced my appreciation for the Acropolis, particularly since I am a visual learner,” she commented.

Named “Chronos” after the mythological Titan king and the Greek word for “time,” the app employs augmented reality to superimpose the ancient aspects of the site onto real-time views. The technology promises to make Greek cities attractive as year-round destinations, while also providing an alternative to the arduous uphill trek often required to view these historical monuments.

Tourism, a cornerstone of Greece’s economy, has rebounded significantly since the setbacks of the COVID-19 pandemic and wildfires, reporting a 21.9% increase in the number of visitors and over a 20% rise in revenue year-over-year, according to data from the Bank of Greece.

Beyond tourism, augmented reality is rapidly emerging as a transformative technology, with applications spanning diverse sectors including healthcare, military training, and specialized machinery maintenance. Technology giants like Meta and Apple are investing heavily in immersive services, including expensive virtual reality headsets.

For the foreseeable future, smartphones are expected to remain the primary medium for delivering augmented reality experiences to the general populace, says Maria Engberg, co-author of the book “Reality Media” on augmented and virtual reality technologies. She predicts a more integrated user experience in the near future, featuring options for sharing and overlaying archival photos and videos.

The Greek Culture Ministry and national tourism authority, although late adopters, have embraced technology with enthusiasm. Prior technological collaborations include a state-organized photo contest aimed at attracting young Chinese tourists, using the popular video game Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, and a partnership with Microsoft for a digital tour of ancient Olympia.

Culture Minister Lina Mendoni emphasized that digital advancements are extending accessibility to Greece’s historical monuments, supplementing physical enhancements like ramps and anti-slip pathways. “Digital and physical visitors alike can now share in the dissemination of historical knowledge,” she stated during the preview launch event for the Chronos app.

Developed in partnership with Greek telecommunications provider Cosmote, the Chronos app is a free offering that aims to continuously improve its features, including an AI-powered virtual guide named Clio. Panayiotis Gabrielides, a senior official at Cosmote involved in the project, foresees further advancements as network capabilities improve, allowing for higher-quality content downloads.

The Chronos app currently covers virtual reconstructions of three other monuments on the Acropolis, an adjacent Roman theater, and sections of the Acropolis Museum located at the base of the historical site.

Contributions by AP photographer Petros Giannakouris in Athens were included in this report.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Augmented Reality Experience

More about Augmented Reality Experience

• Chronos App Official Website
• Greece’s Culture Ministry
• Augmented Reality Technology