Historia Futurae is an NGO that intersects modern technologies such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI) with historical topics. Its goal is to communicate history to the widest possible audience in an engaging, unprejudiced, and unbiased way.
In their pilot project, the immersive exhibition "Behind the Wall," Historia Futurae tells the story of the former Nazi and communist prison in the city of Uherské Hradište, Czech Republic.
The now-closed prison has a turbulent history. In the early days of the Czechoslovak First Republic (1918-1938), workers striving for better social rights were isolated here. During the German Protectorate (1939-1945), it imprisoned many Czech patriots and anti-fascist fighters. After the communist coup in 1948, the prison became a place of suffering for hundreds of people, especially from the political opposition, clergy, and intelligentsia. People were tortured and interrogated in ways even more severe than those used by the Gestapo. According to some sources, up to 40 people were executed there.
From this strong historical narrative, the immersive "Behind the Wall" was created to vocalise themes of seeking justice and striving for a fair future and a democratic society of citizens aware of their shared past.
"Behind the Wall" is a virtual exhibition – a mobile app with interactive AR elements. Its ambition is to replace the function of a classical museum, which is planned to open in part of the Hradište prison in 2028 at the earliest. Until then, the public is not allowed to enter the prison and experience it.
The "Behind the Wall" app comprises six stations around the prison's perimeter, each with unique content. Users learn about the prison's history, guided by an AR hologram of Uherské Hradište-born famous actress Eva Podzimková, see the prison grounds in AR from a bird's eye view, experience an interactive Secret Police interrogation, or enter a solitary confinement cell. The exhibition takes about an hour to complete and is site-specific – the app can be downloaded for iOS and Android anywhere, but it can only be used in the immediate vicinity of the prison in Uherské Hradište.
The budget was EUR 29,000, largely funded by generous private donors, with EUR 7,000 raised through a crowdfunding campaign among small donors. The app is free of charge, and the project team worked on "Behind the Wall" without compensation.
The "Behind the Wall" project harnesses cutting-edge augmented reality technology to create a powerful, immersive experience that resonates with both the non-profit sector and the communities it serves. By bringing to life the harrowing history of the Hradište prison, the app educates and engages the public in a way that traditional methods like classic frontal education cannot. It particularly serves the local Gen Z community, both in the city and the wider region, by making history more accessible and relevant to their lives, especially as this generation has grown up with mobile devices as a natural extension of their daily interactions. Furthermore, the app will be used as an educational tool in history classes in local schools, fostering a greater understanding of past injustices and their relevance to contemporary society.
"Behind the Wall" exemplifies innovation in the non-profit sector by revolutionising the way historical narratives are conveyed. The use of augmented reality in this mobile app breaks new ground in how non-profits can educate and engage the public, especially in cases where physical access to historical sites is restricted. By transforming the prison's perimeter into an interactive museum, the project redefines the boundaries of cultural preservation and education. This pioneering approach not only enhances public understanding but also sets a new standard for how technology can be leveraged to deliver impactful, site-specific experiences.