HeritageMaps and Digital Storytelling for Cultural Heritage. Experiencing 3D contents from digital collections to exhibit design communication

This paper explores the role of HeritageMaps as innovative digital tools for enhancing cultural heritage through interactive storytelling, geolocation, and 3D visualisation. Unlike traditional systems such as H-GIS or ArcGIS StoryMap, HeritageMaps integrate institutional metadata with customised narrative paths, transforming maps into dynamic platforms for management, conservation, and communication. Several case studies illustrate their potential: the digital reconstruction of Priene artefacts, the mapping of contemporary artworks in Faenza, and educational projects at the Polytechnic University of Turin. These experiences demonstrate how photogrammetry, extended reality (XR), and digital storytelling can create “digital biographies” of objects and foster immersive engagement. Accessible via mobile devices and QR codes, HeritageMaps promote inclusivity with features for diverse target audiences. In the post-pandemic context, they represent scalable and participatory ecosystems that connect communities with cultural assets while supporting innovative strategies for preservation and promotion.