Transferring historical structures into virtual reality: The case of the Independence War Museum (1st Grand National Assembly of Turkey Building)

In recent years, with the advancement of technology, virtual reality has entered our lives, offering remote and three-dimensional access to a multitude of data. This access, experienced through virtual reality headsets and platforms, is utilized in various fields such as architecture, gaming, shopping, and commerce. This study presents a modeling and virtual reality project as an example for the introduction, preservation, and remote interactive exploration of historical sites in Turkey, particularly in the tourism sector. The research details how the historic Independence War Museum (Former Parliament Building) in Ankara is promoted through virtual reality technology and how this approach contributes to the preservation of historical sites and their accessibility to a broader audience. Initially, the museum was photographed from both the interior and exterior using 360-degree cameras. These photographs were then precisely converted into three-dimensional models in the 3ds Max program. Subsequently, these models were processed in Unreal Engine, adding real-time textures and lighting effects, thus providing visitors with a realistic virtual copy of the museum. An interactive webpage allows access to this three-dimensional virtual reality museum. Additionally, visitors can obtain detailed information about the museum through interactive panels displayed on the screen, learn about artifacts and historical events, and conduct real-time tours within the museum. If desired, visitors can also navigate the virtual representation using directional keys on their computer screen without the need for glasses, and access information about the surrounding structures up to a certain point. This platform emphasizes the role of digital technologies in the preservation and promotion of historical sites and contributes to the interactive and straightforward presentation of Turkey's historical artifacts and cultural heritage to a wide audience. The study offers valuable insights into how such virtual reality projects can revitalize cultural heritage and transmit it to future generations.