Archaeological Sites and Local Renaissance: Enlightening Italy’s Inner Rural Areas The Case Study of the 21 Villages in the Madonie Park, Sicily

: In Italian inner rural areas, archaeology emerges as the thread that connects past and present, revealing the cultural and historical roots of often overlooked small villages. These settlements, like the Madonie District and its 21 villages, nestled in picturesque landscapes, hold archaeological treasures that, if properly rehabilitated and valorized, can trigger a social, economic, and cultural revival. Archaeology can play a pivotal role in reigniting the vitality of these communities with the contribution of technological innovation. Using augmented and virtual reality and emerging technologies, it is possible to immerse oneself in antiquity and have immersive experiences that allow the perception of inner rural areas history in new ways that revitalize existing sites but also enable the experience of what no longer exists, digitally reconstructing structures and realities lost over the centuries. This can attract visitors eager to uncover the authentic charm and intrinsic history of these places and can transform them into smart villages.