The Selimiye Mosque of Edirne, Turkey – an Immersive and Interactive Virtual Reality Experience Using HTC Vive

A groundbreaking virtual reality (VR) experience of the Selimiye Mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Edirne, Turkey, showcases how advanced VR technology can immerse users in a digital recreation of historic monuments with unprecedented realism. This study demonstrates that high-fidelity 3D modeling combined with interactive VR visualization—enabled by systems like HTC Vive—can effectively simulate multi-dimensional documentation and navigation of cultural heritage sites. The project, a collaboration between BİMTAŞ (Istanbul) and the Photogrammetry & Laser Scanning Lab (HafenCity University Hamburg), highlights the potential for such tools to engage users in virtual exploration while preserving physical access limitations. Additionally, it explores the feasibility of multi-user VR environments for collaborative heritage experiences.

Kersten, T. P., Büyüksalih, G., Tschirschwitz, F., Kan, T., Deggim, S., Kaya, Y., & Baskaraca, A. P. (2017). THE SELIMIYE MOSQUE OF EDIRNE, TURKEY – AN IMMERSIVE AND INTERACTIVE VIRTUAL REALITY EXPERIENCE USING HTC VIVE. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XLII-5/W1, 403–409. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-xlii-5-w1-403-2017