Student Recreates the Clunia Tower in Virtual Reality

Gonzalo Tajadura Díez, a Video Game Design student at the University of Burgos (UBU), has developed as his Final Degree Project a virtual reality reconstruction of the Roman tower of Clunia, offering an immersive way to rediscover this ancient monument that disappeared nearly 2,000 years ago.

Through VR glasses, users are transported to the necropolis of Clunia, where they can follow the Roman funerary road, observe steles, cupae tombs, and enclosures of various types, and contemplate the reconstruction of an 18-meter-high tower, today reduced to scarce archaeological remains. The project not only revives the monument but also contextualizes its surroundings, allowing the public to experience Clunia’s heritage in a way that combines archaeology, history, and digital design.

A distinctive aspect of this initiative is its close collaboration with XRAILab, UBU’s extended reality laboratory. Under the supervision of Bruno Rodríguez, member of the lab and project tutor, Tajadura developed the reconstruction by applying methodologies and tools researched within XRAILab, which specializes in the use of virtual, augmented, and mixed reality for cultural and educational purposes. The lab provided both the technological framework and the interdisciplinary environment that made it possible to combine archaeological accuracy with immersive design techniques.

For the historical reconstruction, Tajadura relied on the advice of archaeologists and heritage specialists such as Mª de la Rosa Cuesta Moratinos (Burgos Provincial Council), Miguel Ángel Arnaiz Alonso (UBU), and Gerardo Martínez Díez, whose Master’s research laid the foundation for restituting the original form of the tower. However, in order to create a fully immersive experience, the project went further, incorporating textures, materials, and environmental details that provide realism and enhance user engagement.

The application integrates an audio guide and spatial sound, designed to direct user attention and provide explanations without requiring prior knowledge. The result is an experience that can be launched autonomously, without the need for computers or additional devices, making it highly adaptable to museums, exhibitions, and educational contexts.

While the Clunia Interpretation Center is still under construction, UBU and XRAILab plan to showcase this virtual reconstruction at the Museum of Burgos, where it will join other immersive heritage projects such as the virtual recreation of the goddess Isis. The initiative reflects University’s commitment to applying cutting-edge technology to cultural heritage and making research accessible to the broader public.

Source: UBU Student Recreates the Clunia Tower in Virtual Reality

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