Pulcherrima Catania is a cultural and tourism initiative promoted by the Archdiocese of Catania, designed to connect some of the most important Baroque churches in the city while expanding knowledge of local sacred art through accessible digital tools.
At the outset of the project, while developing strategies for the digital enhancement of cultural heritage, we began with a key question: how can the spiritual nature of these places be reconciled with the demands of cultural communication and tourism?
Our answer was to adopt the same approach previously developed in collaboration with the Museo San Benedetto: to prioritise context first, and only then select the appropriate technology.
We therefore opted for a lightweight digital solution that would not require any physical infrastructure within the sacred spaces, while still providing multi-layered access to information.
We developed a Progressive Web App (PWA), accessible via a single QR code positioned at various points within the five churches included in the project, allowing visitors complete freedom in choosing the order in which to explore the sites.
The backend is structured around a data model that separates content management from presentation, enabling real-time updates without affecting the application’s overall architecture.
The user interface has been designed to require no technical expertise, allowing the client to manage content independently.
From the visitor’s perspective, the information flow is organised across three levels: language selection, choice of church, and exploration of individual points of interest.
All educational content — both text and audio — is available in five languages, addressing the needs of a diverse international audience. At the same time, video interviews and virtual tours make the experience highly customisable, enhancing the appreciation of sacred art and the spiritual dimension of these places without intruding upon it.
