If I close my eyes: A journey through memory at Palazzo Tilli
At Palazzo Tilli, memory is not just observed, it is lived.
Thanks to the collaboration with AnotheReality, the historic cellar of the residence is transformed into an immersive VR experience that surrounds visitors, guiding them step by step through the silences, fears, and hopes of an internee during the Second World War.
It is not about attending a historical reconstruction, but about coming into direct contact with the emotions, personal belongings, and everyday life of those who lived internment.
A journey that unites technology and empathy, transforming the past into a living and shared lesson.
The project
In the heart of Abruzzo stands Palazzo Tilli, a historic residence that preserves forgotten stories. Once a symbol of prestige, during the Second World War it was transformed into a site of internment under the fascist regime.
With the desire to keep this memory alive and make it accessible, the owners of Palazzo Tilli chose to collaborate with AnotheReality to create an immersive and emotional experience that would allow visitors to step back in time and live firsthand the condition of an internee.
The challenge
The team of Palazzo Tilli wanted to enrich its cultural offering with an experience capable of engaging especially younger generations and encouraging them to connect with the site’s historical legacy.
The objective was to go beyond traditional exhibitions and passive storytelling, developing an intimate and immersive journey able to convey the gravity of the past with impact.
The solution
AnotheReality designed and produced a single-player VR experience that transports visitors into the role of a World War II internee.
The experience takes place inside a historically inspired 3D replica of Palazzo Tilli’s cellar, turning visitors into active protagonists of a deeply emotional narrative.
Through interaction with personal belongings and environmental elements, a story of confinement, identity, and survival unfolds. The immersive approach—blending sensory details and introspective narration—fosters historical empathy, making the journey both educational and moving.
To ensure immediate usability, the experience was delivered with ten pre-configured VR headsets and staff training, guaranteeing long-term operability.
The visitor journey
Entering the Cellar
The experience begins in a dimly lit, sound-rich cellar reconstructed from historical references, designed to evoke isolation and confinement.
Assuming an Identity
Visitors assume the role of an internee, guided by a voice-over narration that contextualizes their situation.
Personal Effects
A suitcase awaits: inside, clothing, a family photo, and a diary. Silent objects that open windows of memory, inviting reflection.
Interactive Exploration
A narrative path, curated with the site’s custodians, guides the visitor through a typical day of internment, revealing micro-narratives that amplify emotional engagement.
Closure and Reflection
The experience ends abruptly, interrupted by bombings. The character does not survive. Silence remains, leaving visitors suspended in a moment of intense and dissonant reflection.
Impact e results
Emotional Storytelling
The immersive format transforms visitors from passive spectators into protagonists, stimulating empathy and emotional understanding of a delicate historical subject.
Cultural Engagement
Thanks to an innovative language, Palazzo Tilli has expanded its reach, engaging especially young people, schools, and educational groups.
Immediate Implementation
The solution was delivered turnkey: preconfigured hardware and trained staff, for simple integration into daily operations.
Preservation of Memory
The VR format guarantees the preservation and accessibility of this unique testimony, safeguarding it for future generations.
The collaboration between Palazzo Tilli and AnotheReality demonstrates how immersive technology can enhance cultural storytelling.
This project highlights that virtual reality is not only a tool for innovation, but a medium for preserving memory, stimulating empathy, and educating.
Through this VR journey, a small cellar in Abruzzo becomes a space of memory, reflection, and learning.
