Dr Francesco Ripanti explores the importance access to heritage sites has in mental wellbeing.
"The programme left me with something. I have nice memories and beautiful, green images. Visiting nature and archaeological sites is very good for the mind; it helps you to forget your problems. What else? I met new people and I still keep in touch with them.”
Thaleia, Cyprus
We often visit heritage sites to learn about the past, immerse ourselves in historic landscapes, take a break from our daily routines, and engage with activities and people. However, we may not always realise that heritage is not only about cultural enrichment—it can also support our mental wellbeing.
Cultural access is the second most important determinant of psychological wellbeing after health status (i.e. the presence or absence of disease). Research has shown that engaging with heritage can improve mental health by enhancing socialisation, boosting self-esteem, reducing stigma, and providing a sense of purpose. In fact, activities such as wandering through museums, excavating archaeological sites, surveying landscapes, crafting replicas of ancient objects, or volunteering with cultural organisations offer both physical and cognitive stimulation. Heritage spaces can also serve as safe environments for expressing complex emotions—grief, joy, nostalgia, trauma, abandonment, and hope—especially when approached creatively and reflectively.
Heritage-based activities can break down barriers to public participation and address wellbeing inequalities by engaging groups that have traditionally been excluded. According to the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, vulnerable groups include persons with disabilities, women, older adults, children, asylum seekers, and refugees. For these individuals, heritage can be a powerful coping mechanism for mental health challenges. We should view heritage not only as a resource to be preserved, but also as a catalyst for a care process that nurtures individual and collective wellbeing through empathetic, relational practices.
Heritage can be explored through various creative approaches—hands-on activities, photography, drawing, and writing—which can be combined to design inclusive projects that resonate with diverse backgrounds and interests. These were at the core of the EU-funded research project Linking Community Archaeology and Wellbeing in the Mediterranean (LOGGIA), which I ran from 2022 to 2024 and that unfolded into two programmes delivered in Italy and Cyprus.
In Italy, a collaborative group of archaeologists, cultural associations, and mental health service users worked together to restore the footpath leading to the medieval castle in Vignale, Tuscany. They also created three information panels about the castle and its historic landscape. Over eight sessions, participants engaged in cleaning the site and designing, writing, and illustrating the panels. The programme concluded with a walk to the castle, featuring a reenactment of a local folktale about its demise.
In Cyprus, a six-session project focused on the theme of abandonment—a topic deeply relevant to our target groups: residents of the Xeros Valley, individuals from other parts of Cyprus, and members of the Huntington’s disease (HD) community, including patients, families, and carers. Abandonment is a central theme in archaeology, but it also resonates with the lived experience of those affected by HD. Participants explored this theme through photography, using heritage sites in the Xeros Valley as their subjects. Their work was showcased in a final exhibition.
Both programmes yielded promising results. Quantitative evaluations showed improvements in participants’ wellbeing, while qualitative feedback highlighted the value of social interaction, connection with the historic landscape and its past inhabitants, and the benefits of active participation. For all involved, the programmes offered a unique opportunity to connect with heritage and with each other, fostering a sense of belonging to a shared landscape and a sense of trust in teammates. The activities—that were co-designed with the projects’ participants—also gave everyone a sense of purpose.
The United Kingdom offers a wealth of opportunities to engage with heritage and enhance your wellbeing. Depending on your background and interests, you might want to explore local heritage festivals or take part in events hosted by museums and historic sites. If you are looking for more hands-on experiences, consider volunteering or joining a citizen science project. These activities not only deepen your connection to the past but also offer meaningful ways to support your mental health and build community.
Assistant Professor in Heritage and History
Biographical and contact information for Dr Francesco Ripanti
