Evaluating visitors’ experiences at St Augustine’s Abbey

This paper discusses an ongoing research project which evaluates visitors’ experiences at St Augustine’s Abbey before and after in-situ projections of reconstructed imageries of non-existent abbey. In the first section, the paper introduces St Augustine’s Abbey and its outstanding universal value as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Canterbury, designated in 1988. It is followed by two pro- and anti- restoration discussions of cultural heritage objects. The second section, it analyses primary data from visitors’ experience gathered at the abbey. The analysis concentrates on three themes related to the digital reconstruction of the abbey artefacts: the impact of digital technology on visitors’ experiences in heritage context, authenticity, realism from visitors’ point of view. It draws on the efficiency levels and usability of available technological devices such as the Virtual Reality headsets and how such creations may impact visitors’ learning and understanding of the site. The subsequent part of the analysis focuses on visitors’ perception of authenticity and realism of digital reconstructed imageries compared to theoretical discussions. This is followed by exemplifying workflows of digital reconstruction in cultural heritage context.