Audio Augmentation in Outdoor Cultural Heritage Sites: A Case Study at the Venetian Walls of Nicosia

Engaging visitors at cultural heritage (CH) sites through audio guides is important for enhancing knowledge retention and fostering meaningful experiences. However, traditional audio guides often isolate users from their surroundings or introduce distractions that detract from immersion. Audio Augmented Reality (AAR) has been proposed as an alternative that offers enriched learning and engagement through non-visual, context-aware auditory cues. In this study, we investigated AAR’s potential for promoting multisensory engagement in outdoor heritage settings, by comparing three information delivery modes: text , audio narration , and audio with contextual sound effects . We developed and deployed a mobile AAR application with 70 participants at the historical Walls of Nicosia. Results indicated that the text-based mode led to the highest level of knowledge recall, while both sound-based modes encouraged more independent exploration of the site. Although participants appreciated the immersive qualities of audio, they also expressed a need for visual aids and adjustable audio settings to better support engagement and retention. These findings suggest that, while AAR could potentially deepen engagement with CH sites, integrating sound effects and visual elements alongside customizable features may be essential for optimizing both cognitive outcomes and user experience in outdoor heritage environments.