S. van Raalte1, R. Källman2, T. Wikström3
1 Innovative Design, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, Sweden,
2 The Swedish National Heritage Board, Stockholm, Sweden
3 Dept. of Architecture, Lund University, Sweden

A society's cultural heritage and the discussion surrounding such heritage form a possible and fruitful point of departure for reflections on the present and the future. Digital communication and visualization aids can, when properly used, provide a resource with which to develop and broaden discussions concerning the contents, usage, and significance of the cultural heritage.
To try to contribute to a broadening of the cultural heritage dialogue, with those who actually live in today's society, a church building is chosen as the object of study. The church enables a large number of opportunities for interpretation and experience and has many different meanings and values for different groups of people.
As a technical platform, a multi-user environment on the Internet, Active Worlds, is used. Within these virtual environment two interactive 3D-models of Old Uppsala Cathedral, the current church and the reconstructed 12th century cathedral, can be reached and explored. In the reconstructed model an imaginary mass on Saint Erik's Festive Day on May 18, 1180 is simulated. The models are closely integrated with contents on a website.
By actively involving two target groups, professionals involved in the church and its future (found in the ecclesiastic and conservation professions) and the school, to participate and interact with the virtual environment an evaluation of the intersections between the core of content and techniques and of possibilities for communication and dialogue has been made.
Key words: Dialogue, Cultural Heritage, Virtual Heritage, Multi-user environment, Active Worlds