Across Europe, many heritage sites face a common challenge: even when digital technologies reconstruct lost buildings or objects, interpretation can remain largely fixed. Visitors see the past, but they do not necessarily get to participate in it.
NARRATIA is setting out to explore a different approach.
Launched in September 2026, the Horizon Europe project combines generative AI, mixed reality and historically grounded knowledge with an ambitious idea: transform heritage sites into dynamic narrative environments where visitors can become protagonists and co-authors of their experience.
From consortium to integrated system
From 21–23 September, representatives of the NARRATIA consortium met in Spain for the project’s kick-off.
The meeting brought together work on project methodology, technical architecture, data, generative narratives, governance, mixed-reality interfaces, pilots, validation, communication and exploitation. The programme also included coordination with ECHOES and a visit to Segóbriga Archaeological Park, providing a direct connection between technical development and a real cultural heritage environment.
That integration is essential. NARRATIA is designed not as an unrestricted heritage chatbot but as a governed narrative system in which historical knowledge, safeguards and real-time narrative generation work together.
Why it matters
NARRATIA will test its approach through six pilots in five European countries, spanning archaeological, medieval, Baroque, UNESCO and industrial heritage contexts. The project aims to reach an integrated demonstrator during its 30-month lifetime.
The kick-off created an important foundation: bringing the organisations responsible for the different parts of the system around the same table and beginning the coordination required to make them work together.
What comes next
The first six months form an important integration phase. The project will develop its methodological framework, architecture, data collection protocols and initial data/IP framework while moving towards its first Seed Prototype.
The goal is clear: move step by step from an ambitious concept toward LIVE HISTORY — historically grounded experiences in which cultural heritage becomes something visitors can actively explore and influence.