In the attic of the Iasi Palace of Culture, the Clock Tower's carillon mechanism now comes with a new digital feature: an AI-powered info-hologram of Johann Friedrich Weule Jr., the German engineer whose factory built the original system. Starting Thursday, visitors can see and interact with the hologram, which answers questions in Romanian, English and French about the Palace, the Clock Tower and its mechanism.

Manager of the Iasi Palace of Culture Andrei Apreotesei said the museum wanted to bring technology into the visitor experience: 'We found the name of the owner of the factory that built the clock in Berlin's archives, scanned his photos and, together with partners in Iasi, developed a hologram to welcome visitors.'

He added that the hologram's Q&A sessions are recorded to help the museum understand what visitors are most curious about.

As the hologram speaks to today's visitors, the carillon's gears, bells and century-old mechanism continue their role: every hour, on the hour, they play 'The Union Hora', the musical signal created to mark the 1859 Union of the Principalities.

Project promoter Andrei Gheorghita explained for AGERPRES the technical approach: 'We developed a conversational device using AI so users can get information directly from the person who designed the Clock Tower mechanism. It's simple and intuitive - this is how technology should look.'

He stressed that new technologies should not create pressure or discomfort: 'Technology should help people, regardless of their technical knowledge. We want such systems in all public institutions so users can get fast, precise information.'

This is Gheorghita's second hologram project with the Palace of Culture, after the launch of an info-hologram of the building's designer - architect Ion D. Berindei - in May 2025.

Apreotesei also detailed the historical mechanism: 'The carillon is a system of bells of different sizes that produce a full musical scale. They are activated by the clock mechanism through a drum with pins that move metal hammers. The clock was installed in 1925 and has three dials, each 3.24 metres in diameter.'

The Palace of Culture, covering over 34,000 sqm and named as such since 1955, hosts the National Museum Complex Moldova, including four major national museums: the Art Museum, the Museum of Moldova History, the Ethnographic Museum of Moldova, and the 'Stefan Procopiu' Science and Technology Museum. The building also houses the Center for Research and Conservation-Restoration of Cultural Heritage. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniela Malache; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)