Located in the heart of modern-day Weißenburg in Bavaria is one of the most significant Roman relics in southern Germany: the Biriciana Fort. Built around 90 AD as part of the Upper German-Raetian Limes, it served for many decades as a military outpost to secure the Roman border. Over time, the fort was expanded several times before it was abandoned in the 3rd century AD following the Alemannic invasions. It was not until systematic excavations in the 19th and 20th centuries—including those conducted by the Weißenburg pharmacist and Limes researcher Wilhelm Kohl—that the site could be made visible again and scientifically documented.
As early as 2012, a digital reconstruction of the fort was created in collaboration with the Weißenburg Museums. Based on archaeological findings, detailed 3D models and three short films were developed, offering a fascinating glimpse into life at that time. Thanks to additional funding, this high-quality data has now been repurposed and integrated into a modern, interactive application.
Kids’ Mode: Players accompany Vitalis, a fictional Roman soldier, as he searches the fort to find his lost gear. A scavenger hunt guides them playfully through the grounds.
Adult Mode: Here, the real-life Limes researcher Wilhelm Kohl guides visitors through the fort. During a virtual tour, he discusses the excavations and provides in-depth background information.
The app guides visitors to a total of five stops on the fort grounds:
Each station is marked on-site by information panels designed specifically for the app. These serve not only as waypoints but also as anchor points for the augmented reality content.
The AR function allows the reconstructed buildings to be superimposed directly onto the real environment. Thanks to precise image recognition, the digital models are anchored stably and to scale in space—exactly where they stood nearly 2,000 years ago. This creates a direct comparison between the past and the present.
An interactive activity awaits at the end of each station: In adult mode, a quiz helps reinforce what you’ve just learned. In kids’ mode, the experience is enhanced by simplified quiz questions and entertaining mini-games.
These mini-games include, among others:
All games are based on historical models from Roman times and have been reimagined specifically for the app. Particular emphasis was placed on intuitive controls and an engaging gaming experience.
The goal of the app is to successfully explore all five stations. Once you’ve completed the tour, a special bonus feature is unlocked: a digital memento of your visit to the fort, which provides a lasting memento of the experience.
BiricianaAR brings the Biriciana Fort to life in an innovative way. By combining scientifically accurate reconstruction, interactive learning, and modern augmented reality, it creates a unique visitor experience—for children, families, and anyone interested in history.
Click here to visit the landing page and download: