Link to 360Cities’ Florence: The Birthplace of the Renaissance

Considering my love of history, it is no surprise that any virtual tour of historical areas will be of interest. Florence’s role as the hub of the Italian Renaissance makes it a location that I would love to see. If I can see what I learned about, it might supplement my knowledge by making it memorable. Thankfully, 360 cities fulfilled this need.

What is 360 cities?

360 cities is a free Virtual Reality website that allows a user to look around freely at various locations that were photographed in 360 degrees. Different locations that were photographed are separated into collections. You have two options to view content.:

First, on the collection page, you can click on any of the pictures to view them inside your web browser. You are then put into a 360-degree photograph as mentioned earlier. In browser mode, the top left-hand corner a description box discusses what can be seen inside a particular picture. Additionally, if you scroll down to the bottom of the page, there is a general history and description of the location at large. To change pictures, you must press backspace to the collection and then click on the next picture you want to see. Finally, you can also click on the open map icon on the top right and freely move anywhere near the current picture, even if it is outside the initial collection.

The other option to view the content is in Virtual Reality. On the collection page you click the VR goggle icon to enter that mode inside the web browser. From here, a home rotunda of different pictures appears. You select which area you want to see. Once you are in this mode, you can press Enter VR so it will work with VR goggles. To change pictures, you simply press the double-arrow icon forward or backward to select the next picture. Unlike browser mode however, VR mode lacks any text and information regarding what is being show in the picture other than the location in the home rotunda.

How was my experience?

Talking particularly about Florence, I was able to appreciate the architecture and ornateness of the city. Seeing the Piazza della Signoria with the equally iconic Palazzo Vecchio. You can zoom in and see the marble statues, even one recreation of Michelangelo’s David. Knowing from my history classes how this location was there since the Renaissance, and that the great artist and thinkers presumably walker here hundreds of years ago is inspiring.

My experience with 360cities was overall positive. I preferred browser mode as while the 360-degree picture was not in VR, it did provide useful information. The ability to open map and freely move around the city also made this view more interesting. While I do not have VR goggles, the VR mode did allow for a more immersive and detailed viewing of the environment. I will be back in my free time exploring other locations for fun.

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