Egypt Develops Digital Experience to Recreate Ancient Abu Mena as It Appeared in the 5th Century AD

The project uses augmented reality and artificial intelligence to reconstruct the architecture and daily life of one of the most important early Christian pilgrimage centres, with plans to make the experience available through an interactive online platform and visitor centre.

Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is developing an interactive digital experience to recreate the architectural and spiritual heritage of the ancient city of Abu Mena and the Monastery of Saint Menas, west of Alexandria.

Using augmented reality and artificial intelligence technologies, the project aims to allow future visitors to explore the site's historic landmarks and everyday life as they existed during the fifth century AD.

On November 9, 2026, the ministry announced updates on the project following a meeting between Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy, representatives of the Information and Decision Support Center, and the implementation team.

The meeting reviewed completed work and discussed approaches to developing the project's historical and technological content.

The project draws on original historical documents and manuscripts, descriptions of the city and the Monastery of Saint Menas by historians, as well as maps and photographs preserved at the Graeco-Roman Museum, the Coptic Museum and the Supreme Council of Antiquities.

These sources are being used to develop digital models recreating the city's religious and architectural structures, alongside the clothing, daily activities, rituals and customs of its inhabitants during the fifth century AD.

The work reviewed by the ministry included site surveying and three-dimensional modelling, with contributions from specialists in augmented reality and visual production.

The project is expected to become accessible through a dedicated interactive website, currently under development, with its digital content also planned for presentation at the archaeological site's visitor centre.

Minister Sherif Fathy called for the project's completion to be accelerated, emphasising the importance of combining historical accuracy, storytelling and engaging visual presentation.

However, the ministry has not announced a specific launch date for the platform or confirmed when the experience will become available to the public.

The project's investment cost has also not been disclosed.

Abu Mena was one of the most important Christian pilgrimage centres of antiquity. The settlement developed around the tomb of Saint Menas and included churches, religious buildings and supporting facilities that reflected its historical and spiritual significance.

The site was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1979.

In 2001, it was placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger because of rising groundwater levels and their impact on the preservation of its archaeological remains.

In July 2025, the World Heritage Committee decided to remove Abu Mena from the danger list following conservation measures and efforts to address groundwater-related threats.

The site remains inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Digital reconstruction technologies offer new opportunities to interpret archaeological sites where only limited portions of historic structures remain. By presenting visual reconstructions based on available historical sources and documentation, these technologies can help visitors better understand how ancient settlements, monuments and religious complexes once appeared.

Once completed, the Abu Mena project could enhance visitors' understanding of the site's religious and architectural history without requiring the physical reconstruction of its ancient buildings.

However, the experience remains under development and is not yet available as a visitor attraction.

The authorities have also not released projections or confirmed results concerning visitor numbers or the project's potential economic impact.

For now, the project's principal value lies in developing new tools for heritage interpretation and presentation. Its actual tourism impact will become clearer only after the experience is launched and begins welcoming users.