Benitatxell bids for Europa Nostra awards with virtual recreation of Les Pesqueres de Cingle

The municipality has presented to this continental competition an initiative that digitally reproduces the ancient fish weirs carved into the cliffs of Cingle, rock formations that exceed 100 metres in height and whose physical access is difficult. Using drone photogrammetry and three-dimensional modelling, the project allows exploration of this heritage without the need to intervene in an environment that has environmental protection.

The experience, already accessible through the portal pesqueres360.elpoblenoudebenitatxell.com, is translated into four languages: Valencian, Spanish, English and French. The municipality also plans to incorporate six Meta Quest 3S viewers that will offer an immersive virtual reality experience, accompanied by the account of a local fisherman.

In parallel, steel lecterns equipped with QR codes and braille signage have been placed at three coastal sites: La Taula, La Branca and Moraig. These points allow visitors to access the digital content from the shoreline itself.

European funding and candidacy

The entire operation has been financed with NextGenerationEU European funds and is part of the Tourism Sustainability Plan in Destination that the municipality is developing. The councillor for Heritage, Víctor Bisquert, has underlined the symbolic value of this location by stating: "Les Pesqueres de Cingle are one of the most authentic expressions of our identity and a unique testimony of resilience in the Mediterranean".

From the council, it is also suggested that this model of heritage digitisation could be applied in other coastal towns in the Mediterranean that have cultural assets with restricted access, as a formula to conserve and disseminate them without compromising their integrity.