Pompeii test case demonstrates Gaussian Splatting’s potential to bring imagery to life

The launch of two new immersive websites that allow anyone to explore the Italian archaeological sites of Pompeii and Civita di Bagnoregio (‘The Dying City’) illustrates how quickly and easily Gaussian Splatting can transform imagery into vivid online experiences. They are both part of Project ETERNAL, a global initiative in which CyArk is partnering with 360° imaging innovator Antigravity. CyArk is a nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing and preserving the world’s culture.

Project ETERNAL began with cultural heritage as a powerful test case for the emerging AI-driven process known as Gaussian Splatting. In combination with Antigravity’s 360° capture technology, this rapidly transforms imagery into highly realistic, explorable 3D environments. By streamlining the workflow from capture to immersive experience, this approach represents a significant shift in how quickly and easily spatial content can be created and shared.

Urgency to document places at risk

Both the fragile, eroding landscape of Civita di Bagnoregio and the remarkably preserved remains of Pompeii reflect the urgency of documenting places at risk. Working closely with local partners, including the Municipality of Pompeii and the city of Civita di Bagnoregio, CyArk and Antigravity captured and translated these sites into interactive, web-based experiences.

Published through CyArk’s Tapestry platform, the resulting online experiences allow visitors to discover the two iconic Italian sites in unprecedented ways. Virtual visitors can fly over the Forum at Pompeii and explore the Temple of Venus, or whizz past Civita’s bell tower and navigate the rocky cliffs on which the city rests. Because the experiences are accessible from anywhere, they represent a unique opportunity to re-engage global audiences with well-known heritage locations.

More efficient way to capture heritage

“Gaussian Splatting is changing the way we document and share cultural heritage,” says John Ristevski, CEO of CyArk. “Through this collaboration with Antigravity, we’re able to expand access to extraordinary places while also exploring new, more efficient ways to create immersive experiences that connect people to the stories of these sites.”

For Antigravity, Project ETERNAL represents a broader vision: making spatial capture and 3D storytelling tools available to a much wider audience. By lowering the technical barriers to entry, the initiative invites not only institutions but also creators and individuals to document places that matter to them, transforming personal and collective memory into immersive, explorable formats.

Unprecedented ease

Antigravity has also partnered with Splatica, a leading platform for 3D Gaussian Splatting, to initiate the world’s largest Gaussian Splatting user-generated content campaign. The collaboration offers 1,000 complimentary 10-minute uploads, empowering creators everywhere to transform 360° footage into highly realistic, immersive 3D models with unprecedented ease.

Pompeii and Civita di Bagnoregio can be explored using any mobile or web device.

Click here for more information about Project ETERNAL.