Echoes of History: Reviving Heritage with AR & VR

Introduction

In November 2023, LeLaboDigital started a project aimed at preserving the Mediterranean’s cultural and historical heritage using immersive technology. With the backing of the European Union under the ENI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme and collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Beirut and Mount Lebanon, we developed a solution using Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) to bring history and heritage back to life, preserving and revitalizing the past for today’s audiences.

Vision & Challenge

Across the Mediterranean, many historic sites and landmarks are at risk—forgotten, inaccessible, or in decline. Echoes of History was created to preserve these places and their stories. By using technology, we aim to make heritage engaging and accessible for everyone, whether you visit in person or explore remotely.

The Kfarmatta Silk Mill Pilot

To demonstrate the potential of Echoes of History, LeLaboDigital chose the Kfarmatta Silk Mill as its first pilot location. This site was selected for its strong local significance and unique architecture.

1. Research & Digital Documentation

LLD’s team documented the Kfarmatta Silk Mill in detail, capturing imagery, oral histories, and historical archives to inform accurate 3D modeling and storytelling. The research phase included work in local libraries, reviewing books and village archives, gathering black-and-white photos, blueprints, and rare images tucked away in family albums. Listening to elders share stories of daily life in the silkmill and collecting memories passed down through generations added a vital personal dimension to the digital recreation.

2. Immersive App Development

We developed a custom mobile app featuring two main experiences:

• Virtual Reality (VR) Exploration:
  Anyone, anywhere, can embark on a digital walk-through tour of the Kfarmatta Silk Mill. The VR experience faithfully reconstructs the silkmill, allowing users to explore spaces, learn about the history, and interact with key points of interest.

• Onsite Augmented Reality (AR):
  Visitors to Kfarmatta can scan QR codes placed around the site to unlock AR content—detailed overlays, room reconstructions, equipment demonstrations, historical video footage, and contextual information layered directly onto the physical environment.

3. Switching Between Past and Present

A standout feature of the app is its ability to switch between the current ruins and the silkmill as it looked before its destruction. With a single tap, users can move between “now” and “then,” experiencing the full journey through time.

Impact

• Preserving and Sharing Heritage:
  Echoes of History is more than a digital tour—it’s a platform for preserving stories, experiences, and knowledge that might otherwise be lost.

• Education & Engagement:
  Schools, researchers, and tourists alike can explore heritage sites in ways never before possible, deepening understanding and connection.

• A Template for the Region:
  The successful deployment at Kfarmatta Silk Mill proves that Echoes of History can be replicated at other cultural and historical sites, setting a new standard for digital heritage in the Mediterranean.

Community Demonstration at the Chamber of Commerce

As part of the project rollout, the LeLaboDigital team presented Echoes of History during an event at the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Beirut and Mount Lebanon. The team introduced the concept and objectives of the project, shared the process behind developing the digital reconstruction of the Kfarmatta Silk Mill, and demonstrated key features of the application—including its use of AR and VR to visualize historical details.

This event was a chance to show how emerging technologies can help preserve cultural heritage and started important conversations with local officials, educators, and community leaders about future possibilities.

Project Partners

Echoes of History was made possible by the financial support of the European Union under the ENI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme and delivered in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Beirut and Mount Lebanon.

About LeLaboDigital

At LeLaboDigital, we combine creative vision with technical excellence to build digital experiences that matter. From AR and VR to interactive storytelling, we help organizations around the world connect the past with the future.

Ready to bring your heritage to life?
Contact LeLaboDigital to explore how immersive technology can preserve, protect, and share your story.