A New Way to Tell the Story of the Reggia di Colorno
Zeranta has designed and implemented an immersive installation at the Reggia di Colorno, known as the “Little Versailles” of the Duchy of Parma. This initiative is part of a broader plan to renew the visitor experience, promoted by the Provincial Administration of Parma, which owns the site. The goal is to modernize the visitor journey and strengthen the educational function of the palace. Recently, the Reggia became part of the Association of European Residences, and with this new installation, it now offers an immersive experience that blends technology and storytelling.
A Dual Approach: Educational Space and Immersive Installation
The project is divided into two main areas: an educational space on the ground floor and an immersive installation on the noble floor. For the former, Zeranta has created an educational video with a humorous and engaging tone, designed for students and visitors. The video, narrated by a costumed character, introduces the history of the Reggia in a lighthearted and intriguing manner. This space will also serve as a workshop area, offering an interactive and stimulating context for deepening knowledge of the historical heritage.
The immersive installation on the noble floor, on the other hand, provides an exciting break within the visit. Here, visitors are enveloped in a space filled with animated images and evocative sounds. The protagonists of the narrative are three key female figures in the history of the Reggia: Elisabetta Farnese, Luisa Elisabetta of Bourbon-France, and Luigia of Austria. Each of them left a unique mark on the palace, and the multimedia storytelling highlights their historical roles in a spectacular and suggestive setting.
From Creativity to Execution: A Tailor-Made Project
Zeranta oversaw the entire creative and production process: from concept design to the creation of multimedia content, as well as the provision and installation of the necessary technology. The video animation was directed by Jader Giraldi, with original illustrations by Federico Manzone, while the soundtrack, composed by Nico Canzoniero, draws inspiration from scores of the historical periods represented. The script and direction were handled by Roberto Pagliara, post-production by Francesca Cotini, and the technological design by Stefano Tedioli.
The main challenge of the project was to create a highly impactful experience capable of interrupting the traditional visit flow with a moment of surprise and wonder. To achieve this, a pop-art-inspired work was developed, distinct from the classic museum approach yet rigorous in its historical content, all validated by experts and art historians.
An Immersive Experience for a Modern Audience
Technology has been employed in service of storytelling to transform the visit to the Reggia into a multisensory journey. The new visitor journey is designed to enhance the transition between the rooms of the noble floor, with a particular focus on the Sala degli Staffieri, which connects the Fortepiano Room of Maria Luigia to the Chinese Sitting Room of the Duchess. Here, Zeranta has conceived an immersive setup that utilizes 360-degree projections and radial audio distribution, engaging visitors in a visual and auditory narrative that celebrates the women of the Reggia.
The multimedia installation includes a central structure with seating, allowing visitors to comfortably enjoy the visual spectacle. The images and sounds projected onto the walls reconstruct the history of the palace and its key female figures, offering an emotional experience that enriches the historical context.
The intervention represents an additional attraction for the Reggia di Colorno, capable of engaging audiences of all ages and making history more accessible through the contemporary language of digital media. The first phase of the project was presented to school directors and teachers in Parma on February 26, with the installation’s completion expected in June.
This renewal process transforms the Reggia into a living and evolving cultural site, where history is narrated through new languages while preserving its authenticity and educational value.