Eça de Queiroz Trail

Aveiro is a charming coastal city located in the central part of Portugal known for its picturesque canals, colourful Moliceiro boats, and stunning architecture. Aveiro's rich history, vibrant culture, and natural beauty make it a popular destination for tourists. The city holds much significance in Portuguese history due to the 1828 liberal revolution led by Joaquim José de Queirós. To celebrate this heritage and engage visitors and local school children in the narrative, Imvizar developed three immersive storytelling scenes after winning 2nd place in the Aveiro Urban Challenges competition at Aveiro Techdays - an annual event which brings together the best of emerging technology. The stories focus on Joaquim José de Queirós and his grandson, Eça de Queirós, a renowned Portuguese writer. They aim to provide a multilingual immersive experience for people, emphasising different historical events that unfolded in the city.

‍

Praça da República is one of the most iconic and bustling squares in Aveiro. It is the heart of the city and is surrounded by stunning historical buildings. The square features a central fountain and a beautifully landscaped garden. At this infamous location, visitors are able to witness the liberal revolution led by Joaquim Jose de Queirós, a prominent figure in Aveiro who fought for the liberation of Portugal from the absolutist regime. They can watch as Joaquim speaks to the military and civilians and learn about his role as a leader in the revolution, all by holding up their own phones and pointing them at the Câmara Municipal de Aveiro building to bring him and his roaring crowd to life.

‍

‍

Praça do Comércio, also known as Commerce Square, is another prominent square in Aveiro. Located near the city's main canal, it has a distinct architectural charm with its elegant buildings and intricate facades. Praça do Comércio is known for its historical significance as a centre of commerce and trade in the past. Today, however, thanks to the power of immersive storytelling, people can revisit the square as it once was in the 1800s and see the hustle and bustle of life around a busy port. Through a visual panorama with their own phones, people see the river flowing in its original location with boats sailing along full of army men headed in the direction of the sea as they did once upon a time.

‍

‍

It’s not just for tourists to enjoy but for locals to learn more about the history of their areas and to see them in a past light. With this in mind, the whole experience is available in both English and Portuguese - two prominent languages spoken by those who frequent the areas to give both audiences the same immersive experience and empower them to uncover hidden historic gems around a busy vibrant city.

‍

The third scene is aimed at local school children to enhance their educational experience regarding the famous Portuguese writer, Eça. The augmented reality (AR) technology used adds an element of excitement and novelty to history, making it more enjoyable and motivating for kids to learn about the past. By creating a multi-sensory learning environment, the visual and interactive nature of AR aids comprehension and understanding. This makes it easier for students to retain information as they can bring Eça to life in their own homes and classrooms for him to share his stories himself.

‍

By leveraging AR technology and creative storytelling, the immersive scenes aim to enhance visitor engagement and cultural understanding all while revitalising the square's significance and bringing hidden historic tales to life. At these prominent locations, the AR scenes provide visitors with an interactive and walkable experience, making history come alive before their eyes for them to explore. By overlaying digital content onto the physical environment, tourists are transported back to the revolutionary era, fostering a deeper connection to historical events and increasing their overall engagement. 

‍

One of the key benefits of these historic storytelling scenes is the ability to deliver the story in multiple languages. By providing bilingual audio narration and text, the storytelling scenes cater to a broader audience. This approach facilitates cultural exchange and allows both visitors and locals to experience the same historical narrative in their preferred language, eliminating language barriers and enhancing their immersion in the story. It creates a more personalised experience whilst engaging with the narrative, meaning people walk away with a lasting impression and a more memorable experience.

‍