A Groundbreaking Digital Revival of Saint Neophytos-From Digital Twin to Memory Twin in Cyprus
The UNESCO Chair on Digital Cultural Heritage at the Digital Heritage Research Lab and its Research Centre Mnemosyne at the Cyprus University of Technology are proud to announce a major breakthrough from the EU Digital Europe project EUreka3D-XR. The 12th-century Enkleistra of Saint Neophytos, together with Saint Neophytos the Recluse himself, is brought to life through high-quality 3D digitisation, advanced Artificial Intelligence, and cutting-edge VR/XR technologies.
For the first time in Cyprus, this pioneering work goes beyond the concept of a Digital Twin to introduce a “Memory Twin” – a transformative approach where cultural heritage is not only digitally replicated but enriched with knowledge, narratives, and lived experiences. In this context, the project marks a defining moment: when a monument truly “talks,” sharing its history, meaning, and cultural significance through advanced immersive technologies.
This milestone demonstration will be presented to the public on the 24th May 2026 at 10:00am (after the liturgy), on site at the Enkleistra of the Monastery in Tala, Paphos. The event forms part of the EuroMed2026 Digital Heritage Summit, taking place in Limassol, Cyprus, from 26–29 May 2026, under the auspices of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Essential information
⦿ What: Public Event: When a Monument Talks. Demonstration of XR technology
⦿ Where: Agios Neophytos Monastery, Tala, Paphos, Cyprus
⦿ When: 24 May, 2026 from 10:00am
⦿ How: This public demonstration of results from the EUreka3D-XR project is offered free of charge
For more information, please see the press release HERE
