This paper presents a case study on the auralization of the lost wooden synagogue in Wołpa, digitally reconstructed using a Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM) framework for virtual reality (VR) presentation. The study explores how acoustic simulation can aid in the preservation of intangible heritage, focusing on the synagogue’s unique acoustics. Using historical documentation, the synagogue was reconstructed with accurate geometric and material properties, and its acoustics were analyzed through high-fidelity ray-tracing simulations. A key objective of this project is to recreate the Shema Israel ritual, incorporating a historical recording of the rabbi’s prayers. To enable interactive exploration, real-time auralization techniques were optimized to balance computational efficiency and perceptual authenticity, aiming to overcome the trade-offs between simplified VR audio models and physically accurate simulations. This research underscores the transformative potential of immersive technologies in reviving lost heritage, offering a scalable, multi-sensory approach to preserving sacred soundscapes and ritual experiences.
