Building Europe’s Digital Future at Digital Heritage in Siena

Date: Monday, 8 September 2025, 15.30-18.30 CET  

Venue:  University of Siena, San Niccolò Palace, Room 4: 262 

Registration: kindly requested here   

For the first time, several EU-funded projects and initiatives are coming together to host a joint workshop on 3D cultural heritage. This unique workshop brings together: Europeana, as leader of the the common European data space for cultural heritage, with its 3D working group;  past supporting projects such as EUreka3D and 5Dculture; and ongoing supporting projects, such as XRculture, 3DBigDataSpace, EUreka3D-XR; and 3D-4CH, the online competence centre in 3D for cultural heritage. All in one interactive event, including live demonstrations. 

Europe’s cultural heritage is entering a new digital era. Supported by the EU’s Digital Europe Programme, the common European data space for cultural heritage is helping institutions across Europe share, enrich, and reuse digitized collections. Among the most exciting developments is the rise of 3D data, not only as a tool for preservation, but also for education, tourism, creative industries, and research. 

Although more than 110 EU-funded projects have produced or used 3D heritage data, only a small fraction is openly available. Collaboration, knowledge exchange, and practical training are essential to change this, and this workshop provides exactly that. 

What to expect 

This three-hour workshop is designed for participants from academia, cultural heritage institutions, and public authorities. No matter your level of expertise, you’ll gain both an overview and hands-on experience with 3D data in the Data Space. 

• Preliminary work: Learn about the Europeana 3D Working Group and early supporting projects EUreka3D and 5Dculture, which have laid the foundation for 3D content management, enrichment, and reuse. 

• Ongoing initiatives: Discover XRculture, 3DBigDataSpace, and EUreka3D-XR, driving AI-powered 3D digitization, large-scale datasets, and immersive XR applications. 

• Competence Centre: Explore the newly launched 3D-4CH Competence Centre, a hub for training, resources, and collaboration supporting 3D, AI, and XR adoption in the heritage sector. 

• Hands-on demonstrations: Experience project tools and platforms in action. 

• Roundtable discussion: Engage with experts and peers to explore challenges, opportunities, and future directions. 

Why it matters 

3D digitization is more than a technical process, it’s about preserving Europe’s heritage, making it accessible, and unlocking new forms of creativity and learning. The European Commission’s ambitious goal to digitize millions of monuments, sites, and objects by 2030 requires collaboration, innovation, and capacity building. This workshop is a unique step toward making that vision a reality. 

Join us to learn, connect, and help shape the future of Europe’s cultural heritage in 3D!