A new wave of digital innovation is reshaping the way people experience the world’s heritage sites. Thanks to cutting-edge virtual reality platforms, anyone with an internet connection can now step inside landmarks once limited by geography, conservation rules, or simple inaccessibility. By combining advanced laser scanning and high-resolution imaging, these immersive tours reconstruct monuments with astonishing detail, often capturing geometry and surface textures down to the millimetre.

Through interactive 3D models layered with ambient sounds, archival images, and personal stories, virtual visitors gain an experience that goes far beyond static photos or guidebooks. The technology is not only a boon for armchair travellers but also a lifeline for educators and students, who can now embark on virtual field trips to distant civilisations without leaving their classrooms. Fragile sites benefit as well, as these experiences relieve the pressure of heavy tourist traffic and create a permanent digital record, crucial for conservation and recovery in case of natural disaster or conflict.

With more than sixty virtual journeys now live, users can explore everything from ancient Sudanese tombs to Native American dwellings, and even landmarks of recent history. Projects such as Google Arts & Culture’s Open Heritage initiative make these journeys accessible to a global audience, curating detailed 3D scans of endangered sites and preserving them for future generations.

As a result, stories that were previously overlooked or hidden behind locked gates are being preserved and shared worldwide, ensuring that cultural treasures endure for generations to come.