The Grimaldina Tower in Genoa. A Case Study Between Technology and Visual Communication

The paper presents an ongoing research project focused on the Grimaldina Tower in Genoa, combining virtual tours, XR technologies, projected augmented reality, immersive panoramic photography, and visual storytelling for cultural heritage dissemination. Due to the tower’s limited accessibility during restoration works, the study develops a digital communication strategy based on 360-degree panoramic imaging, interactive virtual tours, and Lightform projected augmented reality systems to support inclusive and educational access to the site. The workflow includes historical research, spherical image acquisition, immersive navigation, interactive hotspots, projected storytelling, and augmented overlays aimed at enhancing the readability of wall inscriptions, drawings, and decorative traces left by prisoners over centuries. The project emphasizes accessibility, edutainment, and intuitive visual communication for heterogeneous audiences through immersive and non-invasive digital technologies.