Inworld Explorations: Rocca Sorrentina and the Bay of Naples, 1785 (Second Life)

Rocca Sorrentina and the Bay of Naples, 1785 is a fictional replica of an 18th century Italian kingdom, created by Brown University and the Laboratory of Virtual Arts and Humanities as an immersive educational environment. It was created as an investigation into the value of virtual worlds as a learning platform, with a particular focus on the Enlightenment and Baroque era.

Rocca Sorrentina: A view of the dock

The audience is educators and history buffs, particularly those who don't mind wandering and site seeing. The topic is the complex history and cultural contributions of the Kingdom of Naples circa 1785.

As was the case at the Welcome Center at Whitehall, London, new arrivals to Rocca Sorrentina are introduced to the rules of engagement and mission of the sim, as well as a wall of linked names of people available to assist you. An exhibit on tarot cards is currently underway.

Information is given through a multitude of modalities, the art and architecture being the most notable. There are a lot of note cards, but there are also slide shows, musical compositions and actual photographs.

Showcase Gallery

While visiting, I felt curious and at ease; I wanted to take my time reading. After a while, I experienced a touch of cognitive overload trying to read everything.

One website connected to the space is a calendar of events, suggesting this is an active space.

While visiting, I didn't interact with other avatars, although there were others in the vicinity.

There are very nice freebies for men and women, most notably period clothing, available upon arrival and scattered throughout the sim. There are also weapons and a guard uniform in the family crypt.