The Castello Svevo in Trani, a 13th-century fortress built by Frederick II of Swabia, has unveiled a new multimedia installation curated by the design studio Dotdotdot. The project includes three permanent interactive installations: a tactile archive exploring the castle's architecture, a medieval bestiary where visitors can create their own fantastic animal, and a generative "sea" installation in the stables that uses real-time code and algorithms. The intervention is part of a broader conservation and digital enhancement strategy coordinated by architect Anita Guarnieri, funded by €1.5 million from Italy's PNRR recovery plan.
This installation matters because it represents a growing trend in Italian cultural heritage management: using digital and interactive technologies to make historical sites more engaging for contemporary audiences. By blending medieval iconography with generative art and participatory design, the project aims to deepen visitors' emotional and intellectual connection to the castle's layered history—from its Swabian origins to its use as a prison. It also demonstrates how PNRR funds are being channeled into innovative museum experiences that could serve as a model for other historic sites across Italy.