Digitizing Time

Israel’s technological advances throughout history have always turned heads. From advancements in solar energy to security technology such as the Iron Dome anti-missile defense array, and many innovations in between, Israel’s greatest minds have given birth to some of the world’s most innovative inventions. But those bringing the world into a brighter future are also finding ways to illuminate the past, including exciting new innovations to an exhibition that explores Jerusalem's iconic Tower of David citadel.

When the city's Tower of David Museum opened in 1989, the space made use of replicas, models and dioramas of the ancient city of Jerusalem within the exhibition. Now, 26 years later, the museum is making great strides in creating something new and extraordinary for visitors, under the moniker TODigital.

Recognizing the importance of incorporating new technologies in the museumgoer's experience, Museum Director Eilat Lieber launched TODigital for the Tower of David tour experience together with Eynat Sharon, director of new media. This new interactive experience is available to visitors in both English and Hebrew.

The first of its kind, the AugmentiGuide feature designed by Israeli company Enviewz is an audiovisual guide that allows for panoramic views of the Old City from the top of King Herod’s tower through augmented reality viewing.

“Swipe the Citadel,” another unique one-of-a-kind technology, involves an iPad interactive adventure game for ages 7-12 that uses animation, film and augmented reality throughout the Citadel. The game, the first of its kind in Israel, was created by Tel Aviv start-up The Gamerz.

“Whose Tower is It?” is an interactive app for the whole family that helps players become detectives in an adventurous quest to find out who built the Tower of David (hint: it wasn't David). The content and platform of the app was brought to the museum by Tomer Zimmerman, who has made a name as a "quest-builder" for many sites.

3D screening of images during the day will allow for a magnificent view of the recreation of the grounds of Herod’s Palace, including the marvelous steps that lead to the palace in the newly-opened moat of the tower. This daylight 3D screening technology is exclusive to the museum.

TODigital will also include a treasure hunt via QR codes for kids through secret passageways of the site, Wi-Fi throughout the grounds, and a mobile website that includes a virtual 360 degree panoramic tour from Herod’s Phasael Tower paired with audio supplements.

“It is truly exciting being the first in Israel to open up a heritage site … looking at everything that was our past, our history – through the most modern means of technology available to us today,” says Lieber.

Through these interactive, educational tools, TODigital is reforming the way we look at an entire exhibition.

See: TODigital