The breakwater bridge, Valletta

In late 2009, driven by the interest in new technologies common among IT enthusiasts, Pierre Axiaq was fascinated with an emerging visual technology that combined his IT skills and experience with his love for photography.

After countless hours of research and tireless experimentation going to and fro the camera, the computer and back again, all seemed in vain.  Although results were slowly being achieved, the resultant images had a large number of visible flaws, unnecessary bends, broken lines, discrepancies in colour and geometrical distortions.

Somewhat heartbroken, he could not stop thinking about what was wrong with the work. ” What if I changed the sequence or maybe the method, or if I slightly change these angles… ?” he wondered. Then, almost in disbelief, the first 360 degree equirectangular panorama took shape, free from noticeable flaws.  Still not perfect, but surely a tangible result.

Inside his disordered study room in all its chaotic detail, Pierre confided his new achievement to George Borg, a work colleague and friend. George, a software engineer by profession, was instantly hooked on the proposed idea of pooling in his web development skills into making something worthwhile out of this technology.

“We both had this impression that many Maltese were not aware of the heritage that our islands hold.  Other Maltese, although curious about their heritage, found it difficult to obtain information about certain sites, and were not even sure of the site’s location.  Research on the internet about the Maltese islands resulted in only the most well-known sites being displayed.  So how can Malta’s rich heritage be appreciated if not even the Maltese can easily find about it and have access to it?  How about the many tourists who visit the islands, do they truly get a picture of the Maltese heritage?  What about the students in our schools?” they asked themselves.

In the days to follow,  a vision started to emerge. An ambition to create an extensive online repository of interactive 360 degree images that showcased the richness of our Maltese heritage.  All the interactive images would be accompanied by exact GPS co-ordinates and plotted on a Geographic Information System (GIS) so that everyone who would like to visit such sites can know exactly were they are located.  After much deliberation they named the project “maltain360.com”.

Fort St. Angelo in Birgu

They contacted a number of local organisations and NGOs such as the Malta Tourism Authority, HeritageMalta, The Archbishop’s Curia, Din L-Art Ħelwa, Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna, Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti and Wirt Għawdex.

“We explained to them our vision and what we could attain with this technology and they were fascinated and offered their help. With the feedback we got out from these meetings it was apparent that a great deal of planning and testing had to be done to improve on the current ideas and workflow.  We were using a number of OpenSource software like GiMP, Nona, Panotools and Hugin. Being OpenSource we were able to make tweaks and adjustments to these tools to best suit our needs.”

Work on the first prototype started in the last quarter of 2010. They launched the first beta version of the website in March 2011. With just a Facebook campaign and without any paid advertisement, they were surprised by the number of hits and extensive feedback the project received from the general public. With the help of the suggestions and contributions made they were able to launch a second version of the beta website in October 2011.

Email and word of mouth seemed to be the main contributors for the spreading of the existence of maltain360.com. Many people wrote to us and commented positively on the project.

Nino Xerri, a Maltese living in Australiatold us, “Whenever I visit Malta, this is the first site I look at to get a glimpse of places to photograph. Thank you to all involved in the building of this site. Like others I forward this to all my Australian friends just to show them what this great country of Malta has to offer.”

Josie Camilleri, also a Maltese living in Australiatold us, “Glad that someone has finally come up with this idea, it is very important to keep the Maltese cultural heritage alive. Well done to everyone involved.”

Louise Vella, a Maltese living in England told us “Congratulations! Fantastic what you’ve achieved. I can’t stop showing it to friends in England. Well Done.”

Frankie Magro, a fellow Gozitan told us “I love our islands and proud to be Maltese (actually Gozitan). Though our islands are very small, we exceed all other big countries in terms of  our history. One very good point is that all is within reach and unlike other countries where you have to take a whole day tour to see one historical attraction, here, in just one day you can see much more! Our islands are unique in history and this should be the best selling point in promoting our islands as you can find sea, sunshine and entertainment in many other countries but historically our islands offer much more and in a small area making it possible to travel thousands of years in just a short visit.A big well done to all those involved.”

Luke Collins, living in Malta told us “Nixtieq nirringrazzjakhom tax-xogħol li qiegħdin tagħmlu biex tfaħħru l-art twelidna, u turu lin-nies madwar  id-dinja kollha l-isbuħija tal-gżejjer Maltin. Jien personalment urejt lill-website tagħkom lil bosta turisti kif wkoll Maltin u kollha apprezzaw l-isbuħija tal-gżejjer tagħna. Nixtieq li din il-website issir ħafna aktar popolari b’mod lokali kif wkoll internazzjonali. Jiena nagħmel l-aħjar li nista biex infaħħar u inxandar il-website tagħkom  man-nies, u j’Alla li issir xi ħaġa tassew kbira hawn Malta.”

(translation: “Thank you for the work you are doing to promote our native land and to show the world the beauty of the Maltese islands. I have personally shown the website to many tourists as well as Maltese people who have all appreciated the beauty of our islands. I hope this website will continue to become even more popular on a local as well as international level. I’m doing all I can to praise and publicise your website with everyone I meet, and I hope that it will become even more well-known in Malta.”)

Numerous other people followed suit.  The positive feedback we received convinced us that the project is of benefit to the community at large and that we should continue to nourish and improve it.

Notwithstanding our efforts and dedication we do understand that we need support, in various shapes and form, to sustain this project.  We have appealed to our followers on Facebook to help by contributing articles and inviting us to visit historical places that are located deep within the villages around Malta and Gozo.  We found help from a number of local organisations such as Wirt Iz-Zejtun and the rabatmalta.com community.  Even individual people were willing to spare some time and help us out.  We therefore like to take this opportunity to thank Melanie Farrugia, Amy Sciberras, Paul Zammit, Mario Gauci, David Schembri and Simon Mifsud for their contributions.

We have also been tasked to participate in a number of private projects.  Our latest project is an interactive educational DVD of San Anton Palace and Gardens.  This educational DVD has been sponsored by UNESCO through the Maltese Commission for UNESCO with the collaboration of the Office of the President.  The project will be finalised in the third quarter of this year and distributed in schools around Malta.

Today, less then a year later, the maltain360.com project has essentially become what we believe is the fastest growing repository of 360° degree interactive images of the Maltese islands. We are striving to create virtual representations of the Maltese heritage which are not just a collection of images, but the online equivalent of actually being there.

Visit www.maltain360.com and prepare to be impressed.

De Redin tower in Xghajra