MYTHOLOGIO: An AR-Powered Platform for Geomythological Exploration in Athens: Costas Mourlas and Catherine Sotirakou
The intersection of immersive technology and cultural heritage presents a compelling frontier for education and experiential learning. This paper presents the project MYTHOLOGIO, a digital platform that showcases the geomythology of Attica, Greece, connecting ancient myths, geological landscape, and archaeological history through AR, virtual 3D routes, and a personalised virtual guide. The project is a collaboration between the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and two private technology partners, and is currently in early-stage deployment.
MYTHOLOGIO is grounded in learner-centred design principles. Rather than presenting cultural content passively, the platform invites users to navigate with a genuine “sense of place”, interpreting how geological change, myth-making, and human activity have collectively shaped the landscape of Athens over millennia. Geomythology is the study of how ancient peoples encoded environmental and geological phenomena into narrative and serves as both a scientific framework and a compelling pedagogical lens. Gamified educational scenarios are woven into the experience to promote active inquiry, sustain motivation, and align exploration with meaningful learning outcomes. The platform is fully accessible, supporting multiple languages and inclusive interfaces for visitors, students, researchers, and users with disabilities.
The platform delivers two complementary modes of engagement. Through its web portal, users remotely explore geomythological routes using 3D visualisations and scientific documentation. Through its AR mobile application, on-site visitors are guided step by step using GPS services and the device camera to anchor digital content (maps, 3D reconstructions, mythological narratives) directly onto the physical landscape in real time. The design draws on the University’s experience and previous research initiatives in immersive experiences, including AR-driven virtual tours, a VR museum guide and gamified learning environments.
MYTHOLOGIO sits at the intersection of education, cultural tourism, and immersive technology. By enabling both remote and on-site personalised experiences, the platform promotes new forms of alternative tourism with tangible environmental and cultural literacy outcomes. The study area is centred on the Hill of Philopappos and a visual corridor extending toward the Saronic Gulf, Aegina, and Salamina, thus it grounds the experience in a landscape of exceptional geomythological and archaeological significance. Early engagement findings suggest that the combination of AR guidance, personalised routing, and gamified narrative substantially increases user motivation and depth of cultural engagement compared to conventional heritage interpretation tools.
