Structure and narrative
The experience is articulated around a central setting: a viewpoint featuring a Compass Rose, reimagined as a time travel portal. From this unifying space, users select content guided by the Eternal Chronicler—a shared narrative voice that accompanies visitors and connects different eras without imposing a specific historical figure. The project was conceived as a guided discovery experience. Its interaction design combines moments of contemplation, narrative blocks, and micro-interactions with a clear, accessible pace. Additionally, it includes an automatic return system to the starting point, facilitating user rotation and management in public spaces.
Thematic experiences
The project translates complex historical content through three routes featuring distinct narrative tones:
- Atapuerca: Journey to the Origins. The user enters a simulated cave environment to explore a floating 3D model representing a cross-section of the Cueva Mayor. Rather than navigating complex menus, interaction takes place through visual interactive tags positioned around the scale model. By selecting these indicators, the visitor gains an understanding of the spatial relationship and the value of discoveries in key areas (such as the Cyclops Chamber, the Bears' Chamber, and the Pit of Bones). The experience avoids excessive technical jargon, offering a progressive and accessible archaeological reading.
- Burgos: Birth and Splendor.The visitor stands before a table displaying a volumetric scale model of the city, framed by an immersive background environment that recreates the historical landscape of the era. Interaction is controlled via a foreground pedestal featuring a map with points of interest. By selecting these markers, the user progressively discovers the urban evolution of Burgos across three major phases: its foundation and early development (9th–13th centuries), the expansion tied to the cathedral (13th century), and the splendor and consolidation of its historical neighborhoods (15th–16th centuries).
- El Cid: History and Legend. Set in a dark, solemn room, the user stands before an ancient book that, upon opening, unfolds animated projections visually representing the story narrated in the Cantar de mio Cid. This evocative experience conveys the historical, literary, and legendary dimensions of El Campeador, reinforcing the concept of oral tradition and memory without relying on complex, literal reconstructions.
Heritage value and scope
From a heritage perspective, the thematic diversity of Corners of Burgos: A Living Past demonstrates the capacity to approach culture from multiple angles (archaeological, urban planning, and literary) while maintaining a solid educational framework. The final work encompassed the creation of all immersive content and environments through custom real-time 3D modeling, as well as technical optimization, an accessible interface design, and the overall deployment of the exhibition.
