pastZurich vs Phaenomena

Thanks to Augmented Reality (AR) technology, you can use pastZurich to travel back 5000 years in time to the pile dwellings that were located on what is today Sechseläutenplatz square in Zurich. The outdoor experience is interactive: discover the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site “Pile Dwellings around the Alps” in its original size and move around what was once the pile dwellers’ world. The pastZurich App offers the following contents and functionality: AR experience at Sechseläutenplatz square or a similarly large square - Take a stroll through the digital 3D reconstruction of the pile-dwelling village of “Parkhaus Opéra” in its original size and discover numerous artefacts and other details. - Eight themed houses deal with different aspects in relation to the pile dwellings and the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. - At 24 information points scattered throughout the village you can find out more, for instance about the UNESCO sites of Canton Zurich. AR miniature model - Is the weather too bad or is Sechseläutenplatz square being used? In that case you can use the miniature model to put the pile-dwelling village on your dining table at home or on your patio. - Thanks to the miniature model you can travel back to the pile dwellings on Sechseläutenplatz square at any time and from anywhere. Would you like to know more about the history of the pile dwellings in Zurich? An archaeological window in the Opéra Carpark at Sechseläutenplatz next to Stadelhofen train station is a miniature museum dedicated to the village that once stood there. We are constantly improving the app and are grateful for any feedback. Please share your opinions or make suggestions by adding a comment in the App Store.

The Phänomena Spot App invites you to explore Switzerland through natural phenomena, scientific questions, and innovation. On site, you discover why the Aletsch Glacier is melting, how thermal springs are formed, and how scientific developments shape our world. Real places become environments for learning and exploration, where knowledge can be experienced directly. Across Switzerland, interactive knowledge trails lead to natural phenomena, technological developments, and scientific topics. Content is location-based and accessible where connections become visible — in natural landscapes, urban environments, or along thematic routes. Text, audio, video, and augmented reality elements offer different ways of engaging and deepen understanding step by step. A central element of the app is its connection to the Phänomena On Tour Exhibition. Selected exhibits are complemented by in-depth content that explains background information, contextualizes experiments, and offers further perspectives. The app can be used before a visit for preparation, during the visit for deeper exploration, or afterwards to revisit and reflect on what was experienced. Content for the Phänomena Spot App is developed in collaboration with scientists, experts, and partner institutions from research and education. The aim is to present complex topics in a well-founded, accessible, and understandable way — without requiring prior knowledge, while maintaining depth. The focus lies on context, clarity, and meaningful connections. The app is suitable for individuals, families, school classes, or groups who wish to explore their surroundings more consciously and engage more deeply with nature and science. It can be used independently or as a complement to existing educational and leisure activities.