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Seville Cathedral in Spain, The Doge’s Palace in Italy, The Red Light District in Amsterdam and Plaka’s streets in Athens come alive to your screen through captivating images and intriguing stories narrated by selected authors. Take a sneak peek at these 11 self-guided virtual experiences and get ready for a fascinating trip full of mysterious tales and historical facts.
The Doge’s Palace: The Most Serene Republic
Built in the Venetian-Gothic style, the outstanding Doge’s Palace in Venice is one of Italy’s most beautiful buildings and one of great historical importance. How was a robust fort transformed into an elegant palace and who gave it its present form? After becoming the residence of 120 doges, the most senior elected officials, Doge’s palace came to be a powerful symbol of the Republic since every decision that affected the city of Venice for almost 1,000 years was taken in its walls. See world-class artworks, observe the Courtyard, the Scala dei Giganti and every indoor and outdoor hall with ‘The Doge’s Palace: The Most Serene Republic’ self-guided virtual experience.
The Roman Forum: The Beating Heart of the Empire
In Rome’s city center, between the Palatine and the Capitole lies The Roman Forum, the place where Romans were meeting to discuss politics, practice the law, talk about finance and worship their most important gods. In one word, where the true heart of Ancient Rome beat. Outstanding temples, fascinating Basilicas, arches and the Forum’s main square are visible until nowadays, offering visitors a quite satisfying explanation of why Rome has always been and still remains the Eternal City. ‘The Roman Forum: The Beating Heart of the Empire‘ self-guided virtual experience tells the stories of each one of the sites unraveling the secrets of the powerful Roman Empire.
Seville Cathedral: The Magna Hispalensis
Superseding the Hagia Sophia as the largest cathedral in the world is certainly no easy task. However, upon its completion in the early 16th century, Seville Cathedral managed to surpass the huge and spectacular building that until nowadays adorns Istanbul. Seville Cathedral is today considered the tenth-largest church in the world but size isn’t the only thing that makes this UNESCO World Heritage Site stand out. The 343-feet-tall (104.5 meters) Giralda tower, the tomb of Christopher Columbus in the church’s main hall and the building’s extraordinary architecture are the reasons Seville Cathedral tops travelers’ lists. ‘Seville Cathedral: The Magna Hispalensis‘ takes you in the heart of the outstanding church.
Temple of Olympian Zeus: the great debt
The Olympieion, or as it is usually called among locals, the Columns of the Olympian Zeus is a spectacular archaeological site in the heart of Athens. Even though nowadays, only 15 columns remain standing and one lying on the ground, when the temple was constructed it consisted of 104 gigantic columns 17 meters tall. ‘The temple of Olympian Zeus: the great debt‘ virtual experience unfolds the story of how the colossal masterpiece of Hadrian’s time vanished into thin air leaving behind a handful of columns.
Athens Plaka self-guided virtual experience: cats on the prowl
Seeing thousands of cats strolling around a European city’s streets isn’t a common phenomenon. Therefore, the stray cats of Athens often spark travelers’ curiosity arising questions about their background stories. After all, 25 centuries ago Greeks only knew cats from the stories and tales of ancient Egypt. As you stroll around Plaka’s cobblestone alleys with Clio Muse Tours’ self-guided virtual experience ‘Athens Plaka: cats on the prowl,’ our narrators will take you on a 2500-year journey through history. The vibrant street and satellite views will give you a glimpse of the sunny Athens during springtime.
St. Peter’s Basilica: The Holiest Site of Rome
Those visiting the Vatican City, can’t ignore the outstanding St. Peter’s Basilica. And not only because it’s the world’s largest church and “the greatest of all churches of Christendom”. The Renaissance-style church is the impressive outcome of a collaboration among the crème de la crème of the Renaissance. Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, Carlo Maderno and Gian Lorenzo Bernini left their mark on this spectacular building. Do you know that nowadays over 80,000 people attend the liturgies that take place in the outstanding basilica? ‘St. Peter’s Basilica: The holiest Site of Rome’ virtual experience takes you to an indoor and outdoor tour to the grandiose building.
De Wallen: The Red Light District self-guided virtual experience
The Red Light District in Amsterdam is one of the city’s most popular attractions luring thousands of visitors every year. What most people don’t know though, is that each square, street and building they’ll see nowadays witness a different era of Dutch history. The Dam square, the Oude Kerk and the Belle’s statues are some of the highlights you’ll pass by on your route. And our handpicked authors have a unique story to tell for each one of them as they take you from one stop to another on the ‘De Wallen: The Red Light District’ self-guided virtual experience.
The mysteries of ancient Troy self-guided virtual experience
Have you heard the story of the Trojan horse or did you ever had the chance to see how the world’s most powerful secret weapon looks like? With over 4,000 years of history and a great number of remains demonstrating the first contact between the civilizations of Anatolia and the Mediterranean world, no wonder the archaeological site of Troy is one of the most popular around the world. And when history meets the fascinating tales of Homer in the Iliad at ‘The mysteries of ancient Troy’, each monument and remnant is bound to captivate your interest.
Mycenae: in the bath with Clytemnestra
Founded by Perseus according to Greek mythology, Mycenae is a place drenched in myths and tales. This remarkable archaeological site, which is located in north-eastern Peloponnese, is considered the most important kingdom of the Late Bronze Age flourished between 1350 and 1200 BC. Follow the steps of Agamemnon, who according to the legend inherited Mycenae and find out the tragic destiny of his family along the way. But keep in mind that you’ll have to wait until the end of the ‘Mycenae: in the bath with Clytemnestra‘ self-guided virtual experience’ to witness the site’s most impressive monument, the Treasury of Atreus.
Delphi: the Google of the Ancient World
Did you know that Delphi was the seat of Pythia, the oracle who was advising ancient Greeks about important decisions? Well, apparently it was much more than that. The numerous monuments and the ruins of the ancient shops found in this UNESCO World Heritage Site bear evidence that Apollo’s sanctuary topped travelers’ bucket lists already since antiquity. And ‘Delphi: the Google of the ancient world‘ virtual experience will answer your own questions while at the same time will take you on a lively tour at the south-western slope of Mount Parnassus where Delphi is nestled.
Topkapi Palace: The Cannon Gate
For over 400 years, the 15th-century Topkapi Palace served as the seat of the Sultans, their family, and the imperial officials who ruled the mighty Ottoman empire. The characterization “a city within the city” that followed the heyday and the decline of the mighty Ottoman Empire wouldn’t be an exaggeration. The owners of this city, however, had a rather bizarre decoration taste. Among the peacocks and gazelles that were roaming around the outer court, one would be greeted by the decapitated heads of those executed by the Ottoman authorities. ‘Topkapi Palace: The Cannon Gate‘ self-guided virtual experience takes you in the heart of this unusual city with a wide range of stories and satellite and street views.
Photos courtesy of Dimitris Kamaras / Flickr, Ava Βabili / Wikimedia Commons, Glen Scarborough / Flickr