Languages and applications through the metaverse for the access of the geo-documentary and cartographic heritage of the Museum of Geography in Rome

Abstract

From the beginning of the knowledge organization process to the official establishment of the Museum of Geography, the Geography section of the Department of Letters and modern Cultures at La Sapienza University of Rome has planned and designed activities aimed at accessibility of the geo-documentary and cartographic heritage preserved in the library. This contribution outlines the history of geotechnological applications applied to university heritage (Morri, Varotto 2020): from webstorage to virtual exhibitions up to current phygital practices and the potential of the metaverse in geography and museums. In fact, the organization of knowledge promoted along these lines investigates existing spaces and constructs other spaces placed in symbiotic reciprocity and necessary integration (Andrade, Dias 2020), adhering with increasing awareness to the broad concept of accessibility by adopting omnichannel languages and omnichannel conveyances. Ensuring immersive experiences, moreover, fits fully into the concepts of edutainment and learning by doing, in a lifelong learning perspective with the aim of reaching the widest possible audience (Leonardi, Morri 2020).