For us, the digital transformation of an archive begins with the question of what one wants to achieve with it. Often, it is not just about internal use, but also about making content accessible to the public. Our experience since 2007 shows: An online database alone – even with good search functions – is not enough for this. New approaches are needed.
Pictomap is our answer. The app makes digitized content georeferenced and visible and brings culture to where history has happened – anytime and anywhere. This way, cultural heritage can be experienced not only at well-known hotspots but also directly on-site. Complemented by stories, photos, and audio recordings, a low-threshold access is created without prior knowledge or long searches. Users can also contribute their own content, resulting in a vibrant community.
For communities, destinations, and schools, Pictomap serves as an interactive cultural guide that conveys history, language, and culture in an innovative way. On the other hand, the app acts as an educational tool – for teaching materials, projects, or oral history.
Pictomap distinguishes itself from other offerings through close collaboration with archives, AI-supported functions such as description, location identification, and transcription (Text-to-Speech/Voice-to-Text).
The goal is to preserve cultural heritage permanently and make it accessible across generations.
