Castel Lagopesole: From an Empty Shell to a Lucrative Venture. Digital Heritage and Community Empowerment

Innovation, social innovation rather, is not embedded into a technology per se, but is strictly connected to the enhancement of the quality of life: when it introduces health improvements for instance. Digital imaging technologies may have changed completely the way to deliver products in the last decade, but they had, up to now, very little positive impact on human behavior: the industrial production modus has changed, but not the contents. The Narrative Museum World of Frederick II Hohenstaufen in Lagopesole, Italy redefines quintessential aspects in the production and distribution of culture in heritage settings exploiting the infinite possibilities in image manipulation. It involves directly key stakeholders and residents, succeeding to enhance civic pride, and demonstrates how new skills applied in cultural communication generate mindful visitors and contribute to sustainable place making. By employing domain specific expertise in the production and delivery phase the Museum marks the end of the tourist gaze, enabling long-lasting cognitive, emotional and multi-sensory experiences for different audiences in situ. This paper examines the knowledge pattern established for non-captive audiences in heritage places through new digital artworks, and proposes an alternative way to impact the cultural heritage visit linking digital industries and cultural institutions.