A virtual tour lets you move through a real place from a screen: look around, go from room to room, get closer to a work of art. It doesn’t replace being there. But it opens the door to people who can’t go, and gives a second life to exhibitions that one day close.
How it’s made
It all starts with 360° panoramic photos. The space is photographed from several points, with 360° cameras or with a regular camera on a mount that rotates on itself. The images are then stitched together digitally into a seamless sphere, one for each viewpoint.
Next, the viewpoints are linked. Arrows or markers let you “walk” from one spot to the next, and information points add text, images, audio or video about the works and the history of the place.
How to view one
- On a computer, by dragging the image with your mouse.
- On a phone or tablet, by moving the device: the gyroscope makes the image follow your movement.
- With a virtual reality headset, for a more immersive experience.
What visitors gain
People who live far away, people with reduced mobility, or anyone who wants to prepare a visit can get to know a place before going, or instead of going. For schools, it’s a way to take a class to a monument without leaving the classroom.
What museums and monuments gain
Temporary exhibitions take months of work and disappear when they close. A virtual tour preserves them and keeps them open to the world. It also reaches audiences who would never make the trip, and can become a new source of income when access is paid.
Try one
On our home page you can walk through the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora in Lisbon in a 360° virtual tour. If you run a museum, gallery or monument and want to bring your space to Muzea, get in touch.
