Feel Olyka: through touch, sound, and heart
A tactile 3D model of Olyka Castle, part of the town's first inclusive route — designed for those who experience heritage through touch, sound, and heart.
We are currently looking for financing for this project. If you're interested please contact us.
The "Feel Olyka: Through Touch, Sound, and Heart" project is an initiative to create the first inclusive tourist route around Olyka Castle and the town's historical landmarks. The Skeiron team is developing a tactile 3D model of the castle as a centerpiece of an accessible environment for people with visual impairments, veterans, families with children, and tourists. Olyka boasts 10 architectural landmarks, 5 of which are of national significance, yet most remain largely inaccessible. This project shifts the approach to cultural heritage — moving from "looking" to "experiencing.
Project goal:
To make Olyka’s cultural heritage accessible to all visitor categories through sensory experiences, while creating the community’s first inclusive route with barrier-free infrastructure. The initiative aims to promote inclusive tourism across Ukrainian communities, increase tourist flow, support local businesses, and showcase an innovative model for heritage engagement rooted in accessibility principles.
Key project elements:
- A tactile 3D model of Olyka Castle with audio accompaniment — a tool for the inclusive exploration of architecture through touch.
- An inclusive route featuring a barrier-free start zone, information boards with audio accompaniment, and accessible transportation.
- An audio guide in Ukrainian and English, along with portable audio devices for visitors.
- Guide training and route testing conducted with the active participation of people with disabilities.
Project implementation:
The Skeiron team completed the development of a tactile 3D model of Olyka Castle—architecturally accurate, adapted for tactile perception, and seamlessly integrated into the overall route. The model combines historical accuracy with practicality, enabling individuals with visual impairments to "see" the castle's shape, layout, and key architectural elements through touch.
The project was initiated by the Regional Development Agency of Volyn Oblast in partnership with the Volyn Regional Museum, the Olyka Settlement Council, non-governmental organizations, and local businesses.