The (Multi) Heritage Project
"From a lifetime, the project for life"
Objective: Contribute to the Cataloging, Valorisation, Promotion and Proper Management of Cultural Heritage
The main “Heritage” project was born in the early nineties from an idea by Ignazio Caloggero, over time it has been structured into various branches and is currently being developed through the following thematic projects (for details and the progress of the individual projects see see the associated links:
1) Heritage 4.0 Project: From Access to the Semantic Archive through experiential itineraries
Phases of the Heritage 4.0 Project (summary)
- Heritage Archive 3.0: Launch of the first Multi-Archive of Cultural Heritage "Heritage", made up of a hundred thematic and territorial archives integrated with each other containing the assets of the Material and Intangible Cultural Heritage of Sicily and Malta. This phase, which began in 1995, has currently led to the cataloging and georeferencing of over 13.000 tangible and intangible cultural assets.
- Heritage 3.0 Plus Archive: This activity, which began in 2020, is currently under development and implementation
- Audio guides: Integration of audio guides
- Video media: Integrations of videos from social media (Youtube)
- QR-Code: Insertion of QR-Code in the archive cards
- Downloadable mini-guide creations created with QR-Code.
- “QR Archive for Accessible Navigation”: Creation of QR-Codes for the blind. These codes, once scanned, lead to web pages with specific audio content
- Ancient Paths and Historical Itineraries of Sicily: Integration of the Archive with the project “Ancient paths and Historical Itineraries of Sicily”. Phase began in 2020 and is constantly evolving.
- Experiential itineraries: Development of Tourist Itineraries based on a holistic approach to the valorisation of the territory, following the experiential and Heritage Interpretation principles. The first itineraries will be published in early 2024.
- Heritage 4.0: Creation of a Semantic Archive, which integrates the existing archive with semantic Artificial Intelligence. This will allow an improvement in the search for information and in the automatic generation of holistic itineraries. It will be possible to query the Heritage Archive using text and voice, overcoming the limits of current metadata (categories and hashtags). The testing phase is underway, with the expectation of publishing the first prototype by the end of 2024.
Reference link: https://www.lasiciliainrete.it/progetto-heritage-4-0-da-access-allarchivio-semantico/
2) Tourism, Arts and Cultural Heritage Competence Framework: "Tourism, Arts and Heritage Competence Framework (TAH-CF)"
The Framework of reference of the skills required and applied in the Tourism, Arts and Cultural Heritage sector, called Tourism, Arts, Heritage Competence Framework (TAH-CF) is made up of required skills, with particular reference to intellectual and highly specialized professions in the reference sectors. This TAH-CF Framework has been developed in line with the European Qualification Framework (EQF) and Recommendation 2009/C 155/02 (European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training – ECVET). Initially developed in 2019, the TAH-CF Framework was then updated in 2022 and underwent a significant revision in 2023. This latest modification marked the transition from the model based on the "4 Dimensions of Competencies" to the new approach of the "Cycle of Competencies". Skills".
Reference link: https://www.itinerariesperienziali.it/quadro-delle-competenze-del-turismo-delle-arti-e-del-patrimonio-culturale/
3) Multimedia Archaeological Map of Sicily (CAMS)
The map is substantially a geo-referenced, multi-thematic and muti-territorial archive which currently includes around 4.000 cataloged and geo-referenced archaeological sites.
Reference link: https://www.lasiciliainrete.it/archivio-patrimonio-archeologico-di-sicilia/
4) Ancient Paths and Historical Itineraries of Sicily
The project "Ancient Paths and Historical Itineraries of Sicily" has a twofold objective:
- Catalog the ancient paths and historical itineraries of Sicily, providing support for the identification of hiking, experiential and eco-museum routes that faithfully reflect the ancient routes.
- Create the 'Multimedia Map of Experiential Itineraries' (CMIE), an interactive map that associates hiking, experiential and ecomuseum routes with historical routes.
The project is based on four fundamental pillars:
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- REFERENCES: Research based on various sources, including the works of well-known scholars such as Tommaso Fazello, Biagio Pace, Michele Amari, Adolfo Holm, Giovanni Uggeri and others.
- Maps: Analysis of ancient maps, currently over 20 maps are available online for the community.
- Archeology: Creation of the first Multimedia Archaeological Map of Sicily (CAMS), which includes over 3.500 archaeological sites.
- Sharing and Transparency: Online publication of study results, including details on sources, scientific methodology and pathway identification processes, available in real time to the scientific community and the general public.
At present, over 3.500 km of paths have been mapped, covering the main Greek, Roman and other historical routes. These routes, according to the studies of Biagio Pace and quotes by Paolo Orsi, date back in many places to ancient populations such as the Siculi, Sicani, Elimi and other prehistoric civilizations.
Reference link: https://www.lasiciliainrete.it/antichi-cammini-e-itinerari-di-sicilia/
5) Experiential Tourism and Interpretation of Cultural Heritage
As highlighted by Pine and Gilmore in 1999, we are experiencing a transition from a service economy to an experience-based economy. This change affects not only tourism and culture, but also services and product marketing. Consequently, businesses and professionals must prepare for the “Experiential Transition” to offer products and services as unique experiences. Furthermore, it is essential to promote innovative and holistic methods for the valorization of Cultural Heritage, often considered the basis of many experiences, while respecting protection and sustainable development.
The project was therefore born as a response to the ongoing Experiential Transition and has the following objectives:
- Promote and enhance the Experiential and Quality Culture and facilitate the transition of companies and society towards an experiential economy (Experiential Transition)
- Promote and enhance experiential skills in the tourism, cultural, entertainment and commercial fields
- Promote innovative and holistic tools for the promotion, enhancement and protection of Cultural Heritage
To achieve these objectives, various initiatives have been activated:
Reference link: https://www.itinerariesperienziali.it/progetto-turismo-esperienziale-e-interpretazione-del-patrimonio-culturale/
Other sub-projects:
6) UNESCO Heritage Project
The project aims to catalog and represent the sites with UNESCO recognition of the Mediterranean area through a multi-thematic and territorial “GeoSocial” Archive.
The project is hosted on the website www.patrimoniounesco.it
7) Heritage Events Project
The project is currently suspended, waiting for an adequate context that will allow its resumption, here is what has been done in the past:
