My Virtual Armenia

Name: My Virtual Armenia
Author: Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Institution

TRUSTED

Expert-developed at a research institution

For:General Public & Enthusiasts

Free

Download on the App Store

App Summary

My Virtual Armenia offers virtual reality tours of the Areni-1 Cave and Noravank Monastery, allowing users to explore these significant Armenian historical sites from their smartphones. The Smithsonian partnered with digital preservation organization CyArk and developer FarBridge to make Armenian cultural heritage accessible and promote its protection to a wider public. Premiering at the 2018 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, the app makes these laser-scanned sites explorable on standard smartphones, broadening public access to at-risk world heritage.

App Screenshots

Detailed Description

Functionality & Mechanism

This virtual reality tour transports users to two significant Armenian historical sites. Developed by FarBridge in partnership with the Smithsonian and CyArk, the app utilizes meticulous laser-scanning data to generate high-resolution digital models of the Areni-1 Cave and Noravank Monastery. The interface facilitates exploration on standard smartphones through a panoramic "Magic Window" view, augmented with audio commentary from regional experts. The goal is to make cultural heritage accessible to a global audience.

Development & Context

The app is a product of a deep collaboration between developer FarBridge, the Smithsonian Institution, and the heritage preservation organization CyArk.
It was created as part of the broader "My Armenia" program to digitally preserve cultural sites and make them accessible, fostering global support for their protection.
The news coverage notes the virtual environments were constructed using comprehensive laser-scanning data captured by CyArk, with support from local Armenian student volunteers.
My Virtual Armenia premiered at the 2018 Smithsonian Folklife Festival to supplement the event's focus on Armenian culture.

Intended Use & Scope

This application is designed for a general audience, including virtual tourists and individuals interested in Armenian cultural history. Its primary function is as an educational and cultural awareness tool, offering virtual access to two specific heritage sites. The information presented is based on news coverage and expert commentary, not peer-reviewed research.

In the Media

The Smithsonian, FarBridge, and CyArk bring ancient Armenia to your living room

FarBridge launched My Virtual Armenia in partnership with CyArk and the Smithsonian Institution to preserve and share Armenia's cultural heritage through virtual reality exploration of two historical sites. "We worked closely with the Smithsonian Institution and CyArk to help make the world's cultures accessible to anyone, anywhere," says Taylor Gates, Lead Developer at FarBridge. The app premiered at the 2018 Smithsonian Folklife Festival and runs on iPhone and Android smartphones, allowing users to explore the Areni-1 Cave Complex and the thirteenth-century Noravank Monastery.

MediumRead article

This Free Virtual Reality App Drops Users in the Heart of Historic Armenia

The Smithsonian, CyArk, and FarBridge collaborated to develop My Virtual Armenia to make historic Armenian sites accessible to global audiences, using panoramic "Magic Window" views and expert audio commentary. The app allows users to explore the medieval Noravank monastery and Areni-1 cave system, where archaeologists uncovered the earliest known evidence of human shoes and winemaking. The virtual reality app is now freely downloadable on both iOS and Android devices worldwide.

SmithsonianmagRead article