ARKIKUS

ARKIKUS is a technology start-up based in the Basque Country, Spain, dedicated to the virtual reconstruction of past and historical heritage. The company uses digital procedures to recreate the appearance that heritage sites may have had in the past, based on the interpretation of archaeological vestiges and available historical documentation. Its work is presented through applications, virtual tours and immersive digital experiences that allow the public to see disappeared or at-risk heritage as it once was. The company describes virtual reconstruction as an innovative way of documenting and highlighting assets that have disappeared or are at risk. According to ARKIKUS, the graphic realism and technological component of these reconstructions generate attraction and can increase visits, offering a more immersive tourist experience than traditional informative resources. The technique is also presented as sustainable and non-invasive, since it does not require interfering with the physical sites, thereby avoiding possible controversies, and the interpretation can be reviewed at any time. ARKIKUS has produced virtual reconstruction projects for a range of heritage sites and locations, including Enkarterri, Canillas de Aceituno, Alcantarilla, Iruña-Veleia, Forua, Flaviobriga, Casa del Cordón (virtual tour), Castle of San Vicente, Vitoria-Gasteiz 1850 and Santa Catalina Monastery. Its work has received recognition: the Castle of San Vicente App was a finalist in 'The AppTourism Awards' at FITUR 2019; the Santa Catalina Monastery App was nominated for the 'Best Basque App' at Txapelketapp 2020; the Vitoria-Gasteiz 1850 App won the 'Best Business Idea' award at ACTÚAUPM 2016; and ARKIKUS received a diploma for 'Best Startup' at ACTÚAUPM 2016. The company also received the Hispania Nostra Award 2020. As a start-up, ARKIKUS operates at the intersection of heritage interpretation, digital technology and cultural tourism. Its projects serve museums, municipalities, tourism boards and heritage institutions seeking to enhance the visitor experience and communicate history in an engaging, accessible way. The company is privately held and active, with its official website at arkikus.com.

ARKIKUS is a technology start-up based in the Basque Country, Spain. It was founded to apply digital techniques to the interpretation and dissemination of historical heritage. The company's core activity is the virtual reconstruction of past heritage: using digital procedures to show the appearance that heritage sites may have had in the past, based on the interpretation of vestiges and historical documentation available at present. From its early years, ARKIKUS combined heritage interpretation with mobile and immersive technologies. In 2016, the company received a diploma for 'Best Startup' and an award for 'Best Business Idea' at ACTÚAUPM for the Vitoria-Gasteiz 1850 App. In 2019, its Castle of San Vicente App was a finalist in 'The AppTourism Awards' at FITUR. In 2020, the Santa Catalina Monastery App was nominated for 'Best Basque App' at Txapelketapp, and ARKIKUS received the Hispania Nostra Award 2020. The company has undertaken virtual reconstruction projects for a variety of sites and locations, including Enkarterri, Canillas de Aceituno, Alcantarilla, Iruña-Veleia, Forua, Flaviobriga, Casa del Cordón (virtual tour), Castle of San Vicente, Vitoria-Gasteiz 1850 and Santa Catalina Monastery. These projects illustrate its focus on disappeared or at-risk heritage, offering the public a view of sites as they were in the past. ARKIKUS presents its approach as an innovative way of documenting and highlighting assets that have disappeared or are at risk. It argues that the graphic realism and technological component of reconstructions generate attraction and increase visits, providing a more immersive tourist experience than traditional informative resources. The technique is also described as sustainable and non-invasive, avoiding interference with physical sites and allowing interpretation to be reviewed at any time. As of the available evidence, ARKIKUS remains an active private start-up. Its official website is arkikus.com.

• 2020

  Santa Catalina Monastery App is nominated for 'Best Basque App' at Txapelketapp; ARKIKUS receives the Hispania Nostra Award 2020.

• 2019

  Castle of San Vicente App is a finalist in 'The AppTourism Awards' at FITUR.

• 2016

  ARKIKUS receives a diploma for 'Best Startup' and an award for 'Best Business Idea' at ACTÚAUPM for the Vitoria-Gasteiz 1850 App.

Innovative, sustainable and non-invasive digital heritage interpretation for cultural dissemination and tourism.

• Castle of San Vicente App

  Mobile application for the virtual reconstruction and interpretation of the Castle of San Vicente; finalist in 'The AppTourism Awards' at FITUR 2019.

• Santa Catalina Monastery App

  Mobile application for the virtual reconstruction of Santa Catalina Monastery; nominated for 'Best Basque App' at Txapelketapp 2020.

• Vitoria-Gasteiz 1850 App

  Mobile application reconstructing Vitoria-Gasteiz as it was in 1850; won 'Best Business Idea' at ACTÚAUPM 2016.

• Casa del Cordón virtual tour

  Virtual tour of Casa del Cordón.

1. 1Home - Arkikusarkikus.com
2. 2ARKIKUS - Wikidatawikidata.org