The project "Mediterranean harbors, ships and sea: the invisible routes", which was created in the framework of the Community Initiative INTERREG ARCHIMED COMMUNITY INITIATIVE PROGRAMME INTERREG III B ARCHIMED 2000-2006, was designed and implemented by the Foundation of the Hellenic World (coordinating institution) in cooperation with the Municipal Museum “Thalassa” in Ayia Napa, the Computer Science Department of the University of Cyprus and the Agenzia per il Patrimonio Culturale Euromediterraneo in Italy.

The project’s objective is the development of Virtual Reality infrastructures and communal content based on the history of the Mediterranean harbors, the ships and the sea routes, as well as the intelligent techniques of sea attack and defense in antiquity.

The virtual reconstruction of ancient Miletus was designed, documented and developed for advanced Virtual Reality systems, like “Virtual Cinema”, and for projection systems that are based on computer clusters like the “Kivotos”. In addition, the simulation of the data of the naval battle of Syracuse was adapted for educational use. The reconstruction took place in accordance with the visualization procedure and examination of the archaeological information that FHW possesses, while all the relevant documentation was collected, which is available at the web site of the project.

All the material was translated and presented in three languages (Greek, English and Italian) in cooperation with the partners in Cyprus and Italy.

In the framework of the project two new and fully compatible Virtual Reality systems were installed at the Municipal Museum “THALASSA” in Ayia Napa and at the Agenzia per il Patrimonio Culturale Euromediterraneo in Lecce, Italy. FHW designed these systems, while the partners moved ahead with their acquisition and installation, adapting their museum and educational areas for their permanent use.

During the project, the partners were trained by FHW specialists in the use of these interactive systems, while they drew know-how, regarding the adaptation and development of educational programmes, utilizing the capabilities of Virtual Reality.

Every partner developed educational programmes that correspond to the interests and the needs of its public.