A short film about the archaeological site of ancient Olynthos in northern Greece came second in the Audience Award in the promotional film category of the international competition Museums in Short 2024.
Forty museums from twenty countries were nominated in this year’s contest, where “Ancient Olynthos. A Unique Experience of a Journey in Space and Time” gathered 1144 votes from the audience.
The Greek film, produced by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Chalcidice and Mount Athos, came second only to Madrid’s Prado Museum production, “A Feminine Perspective” – created by one of the greatest museums in the world.
This is the third participation of the Ephorate in the competition in as many years.
Another two films from Greece competed in the Storytelling category of Museums in Short; “Gynaikokastro Kilkis. A Fort Impenetrable,” by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Kilkis, and “AiTHERION Motivation Space: Aithra’s Call,” by project AiTHERION.
Ancient Olynthos visitor experience enhanced by digital tools
The short film about ancient Olynthos that captivated the viewers who voted for it features the archaeological site but focuses mostly on the recent improvements which have significantly enhanced the visitor experience as they introduce an innovative way to explore the rich history of Olynthos, an ancient city that played a significant role in Greek history.
“Thanks to a series of digital applications, rich in content and with a particular aesthetic identity, visitors to ancient Olynthos have the opportunity to get to know all aspects of the history and character of this city, in an experiential way, through an enjoyable journey that transforms the visit to ancient Olynthos in a unique experience of traveling through space and time,” the Ephorate observes.
The revamped Ancient Olynthos Digital Information Center, which only opened its doors in summer 2024, features an interactive digital timeline of the ancient city, augmented reality, 3D reconstructions, and digital storytelling.
Augmented Reality brings ancient Olynthos to life
A unique blend of education and entertainment, according to the Halkidiki Tourism Organisation, the Ancient Olynthos Digital Information Center allows visitors of all ages to virtually walk through the streets of ancient Olynthos, experiencing what life was like in the 4th century BCE.
By combining archaeology with modern technology, it provides a deeper understanding of the daily lives, architecture, and culture of the city that was once a thriving hub in northern Greece.
Then, once they climb the hill to the actual site of the ancient city, visitors can enjoy the amazing sight of the ruins and the wonderful view from above, while the digital tour guide offers them an original experiential narrative by a fictional 4th century BC girl.
Using the augmented reality version, by scanning in selected places, the past itself will come to life before their eyes.
The digital tour guide application is also available for an additional five arcaeological sites in the area.
