Ten years after opening to the public, the Tremona archaeological park updates its offering with new technological tools and an experience specifically designed for a younger audience. The site, created with the aim of offering visitors an immersive experience of the medieval village through augmented reality, now introduces a new generation of glasses and a dedicated tour for children and adolescents.
The initiative was developed by the Department of Culture, Events, and Sport of the City of Mendrisio, together with the Mendrisiotto and Basso Ceresio Regional Tourism Organization and ArtGlass. At the heart of the update are the new EPSON BT-40 augmented reality glasses, designed to make content consultation more immediate and enhance the quality of the experience while exploring the archaeological area.
The goal remains to bring the public closer to the site's history through a method that combines on-site visits with digital reconstruction. This formula, since 2016, has allowed visitors to explore traces of the past and imagine the appearance and life of the medieval village thanks to technology.
A route dedicated to younger visitors
The main new feature of the tenth anniversary is the KIDS itinerary , aimed at children and young people between the ages of 8 and 16. The experience was designed to make the visit more understandable and stimulating for younger age groups, through content tailored to their needs and less specialized language.
Archaeologist and cultural mediator Ilaria Verga oversaw the content, developing an accessible itinerary that recounts the daily life of the medieval village. Zanes's narration guides young visitors through the tour, introducing elements of the life and customs of the people who once inhabited the settlement.
The project is available in four languages. This choice broadens the potential audience and facilitates use by families and visitors from abroad, in an area of the Canton characterized by a strong presence of cross-border and international tourism.
The KIDS experience was supported by the Regional Agency for the Development of Mendrisiotto and Basso Ceresio (ERS-MB).
Tremona Archaeological Park: uan archaeological site born from field research
The Archaeological Park is located on Monte San Giorgio and was the first archaeological park in the Canton of Ticino. Its history is linked to decades of research, which has brought to light artifacts and testimonies useful for gradually reconstructing Tremona's history.
ARAM and the numerous volunteers who participated in the excavation campaigns over the years played an important role in this process. The recovered material helped document the settlement's history and lay the scientific foundations on which the proposed visit is based today.
The park project is financially supported by the City of Mendrisio. The current proposal is the result of collaboration between the Municipality, the Cultural Heritage Office, ARAM, the Tremona Patriziato, and the Mendrisiotto and Basso Ceresio Regional Tourism Organization.
The adopted model therefore combines archaeological research, conservation and dissemination, with technology used as a tool to facilitate understanding of what remains of a medieval settlement.
From digital reconstruction to on-site visits
Augmented reality is one of the distinctive features of the Tremona Archaeological Park. This experience allows for the addition of information and digital reconstructions to what visitors observe directly on the ground, creating a connection between archaeological evidence and its interpretation.
The introduction of the new EPSON BT-40 is part of this upgrade process. The stated goal is to make the devices easier to use and offer better content quality.
In this case, technology doesn't replace site observation, but rather seeks to provide an additional key to understanding it. Visitors can thus engage with the still-visible material traces and, through digital tools, mentally reconstruct a historical context that would otherwise be difficult to understand.
The Infopoint will remain open until November.
The Infopoint located in the former town hall will remain open until November 30, 2026. Until October 24, it will be open from Thursday to Sunday and on holidays, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Augmented reality glasses can be rented from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm.
From October 25th to November 30th, hours will be 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Thursdays through Sundays and on holidays. During this period, glasses can be rented from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm.
Group visits can be arranged during the week, Monday through Wednesday. For information and reservations, please contact the Mendrisiotto and Basso Ceresio Regional Tourism Organization Infopoint at info@mendrisiottoturismo.ch or at 091 641 30 50 or 058 688 32 02.
Guided tours throughout the year
Those wishing to learn more about the history and results of archaeological research can also request a guided tour of the park. The tour is organized by the Meride Fossil Museum, which can be contacted by writing to info@montesangiorgio.org or calling +39 091 640 00 80.
Guided tours can be organized year-round and are available in the three national languages and English. This option allows you to complement a self-guided visit with a more structured in-depth study, aimed at both groups and those who wish to learn more about the scientific work that has allowed us to reconstruct the village's history.
A project built over time
The tenth anniversary thus also provides an opportunity to take stock of a project that has brought together public institutions, cultural organizations, tourism organizations, and volunteers. The history of the Tremona Archaeological Park, in fact, dates back long before its opening in 2016, to the excavation and research efforts that have gradually uncovered evidence of the settlement.
It is from this wealth of knowledge that the current offering has taken shape, supported by the City of Mendrisio and developed with the involvement of the Cultural Heritage Office, ARAM, the Patriziato di Tremona, and the Mendrisiotto and Basso Ceresio Regional Tourism Organization.
The 2026 update now focuses primarily on accessibility and the ability to engage new generations of visitors. The new augmented reality devices and the KIDS tour in four languages represent the evolution of a program that, over the course of a decade, has combined archaeological research with digital dissemination tools.
