Tenerife Launches Immersive Virtual Reality Project to Preserve Historical Sites

Tenerife has taken a major step forward in preserving its history with the launch of a new immersive reality project in the Machado neighborhood of El Rosario. The initiative offers free virtual tours of three local Sites of Cultural Interest: the Nuestra Señora del Rosario hermitage, the Camino Viejo de Candelaria, and the former home of the privateer Amaro Pargo.

Led by educators Ángel Adán, Beatriz García, and José Luis Saorín, the project aims to make these historical sites accessible to everyone via mobile devices and virtual reality headsets. Beyond simple 360-degree views, the experience is backed by extensive research, including historical studies, detailed mapping, and AI-generated recreations. These AI images provide a visual representation of Amaro Pargo at different points in his life, based on portraits found in the hermitage and a 3D reconstruction of his home.

The project highlights a vital cultural route that has connected the north and south of the island for centuries—a path used by the island's aboriginal population and later by authorities traveling to the Villa Mariana. To document this legacy, the team used 1975 sketches by Bernardo Parrilla to create three distinct models: one donated to the Museum of History and Anthropology of Tenerife, an educational 3D-printed version, and an artistic recreation.

The experience is enhanced by an original soundtrack from timple player Benito Cabrera and has received support from the University of La Laguna and various heritage organizations. This blend of technology and history reflects a growing trend in Spain: using digital tools to protect and share cultural assets. As the project leaders noted, the best way to safeguard heritage is to ensure the public can easily access and understand its importance today.