Mombelli, AnnalisaSilva, ElisaGenovese, GianlucaBondi, FabrizioMontanari, RobertoCampana, StefanoFerdani, DanieleGraf, HolgerGuidi, GabrieleHegarty, ZackaryPescarin, SofiaRemondino, Fabio2025-09-052025-09-052025978-3-03868-277-6https://doi.org/10.2312/dh.20253107https://diglib.eg.org/handle/10.2312/dh20253107This paper explores the potential of Virtual Reality (VR) in cultural heritage experiences through an interactive reimagining of the journey to the moon in Ludovico Ariosto's Orlando Furioso poem. Developed as part of the ''Furiose Interazioni'' project, officially presented in September 2023, this VR installation, the third of a path structured through a ''station-based'' methodology, aims to bridge historical literature and digital storytelling, engaging users of different ages in a first-person shareable, immersive experience. Starting from the analysis of the state of the art in Virtual Reality for enhancing tangible and intangible cultural heritage, the study discusses the theoretical, technological, and interaction design choices behind the project, addressing challenges such as maintaining narrative authenticity, adapting literary content for interactive media, and ensuring accessibility across diverse audiences. User evaluation results, during the first year of opening, demonstrate how VR enhances engagement, learning, and emotional connection, highlighting the broader implications of immersive technologies in digital heritage.Attribution 4.0 International LicenseCCS Concepts: Human-centered computing → Interaction design process and methods; Empirical studies in interaction design; Applied computing → Arts and Humanities.Human centered computing → Interaction design process and methodsEmpirical studies in interaction designApplied computing → Arts and Humanities.10.2312/dh.2025310712 pages