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Making history visible again
Many historic places today tell only a small part of their story. Locations that were once full of life are often reduced to ruins, empty squares or barely recognisable remains. What visitors see is real, but incomplete.
The scale of the buildings, the daily life that unfolded there, and the meaning of the place can be hard to imagine. The TimeLens Foundation exists to help make these places visible and understandable again for a broad audience.
Through historical reconstruction, careful research and collaboration with heritage professionals, the foundation supports the creation of immersive reconstructions that allow visitors to experience historic sites as they once were, directly at the location itself. Our aim is simple. Not only to explain history, but to make it tangible again at the very place where it happened.
Why the foundation exists
Many museums, archaeological sites and heritage organisations operate with limited resources to develop new forms of interpretation.
At the same time, these places often carry immense historical and cultural value. Some locations are widely visited and can sustain long term development through commercial activity.
Others are just as important historically, but are less visible, less funded, or less commercially viable, but very interesting.
How it was created
The TimeLens Foundation was created to support projects where historical importance and public value are clear, but where a purely commercial approach would not be possible.
This ensures that the growth of TimeLens is guided not only by economic viability, but also by cultural value and the public good.
How your support helps
The foundation supports projects that help visitors understand historic places through immersive reconstruction. This includes the research needed to reconstruct a location responsibly, the creation of historically grounded 360° scenes, and the development of educational storytelling such as audio guides.
Each project is developed in close collaboration with the institutions and experts connected to the site, so that what visitors see is accurate, transparent and handled with care. With the support of donors and partners, more historic places can gradually be brought back to life and made accessible to the public.
A contribution does not simply fund an organisation in the abstract. It helps make a specific place visible again, and allows its story to be experienced by future visitors.
Working together on new locations
Help us with choosing the next site to revive
The TimeLens Foundation works with museums, heritage organisations, researchers and local institutions that safeguard historic sites.
Together we explore which places would most benefit from reconstruction, what research is needed, and how the story of the site can be presented with integrity.
If you represent a historic site or cultural institution and would like to explore a collaboration, we would be pleased to hear from you.
If you are considering support as a donor or funding partner, we are equally glad to speak. The foundation exists to build long term relationships with those who care about heritage and its responsible presentation.
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Transparency
The TimeLens Foundation (Stichting TimeLens) is registered in the Netherlands as a cultural ANBI (Public Benefit Organisation).
This means that the foundation operates exclusively for the public benefit and does not pursue profit. Donations to cultural ANBI organisations may, under certain conditions, be tax deductible in the Netherlands.
Under Dutch law, organisations with ANBI status must publicly publish information about their governance, policy plan and financial reporting. The official ANBI publication page, containing the full information required under Dutch law, can be found on the Dutch version of this page.
Governance
The TimeLens Foundation is governed by an independent board responsible for ensuring that the foundation operates in accordance with its public benefit mission. The board consists of
Organizational structure
Board members perform their duties on a voluntary basis and do not receive remuneration for their board activities. They may only receive reimbursement for actual expenses incurred, provided these are reasonable and appropriate.
The TimeLens Foundation operates alongside the development team behind the TimeLens app. The app itself is developed and managed by Ciceroni, while the foundation supports projects at historically significant locations that may not be commercially viable.
Funds raised by the foundation of TimeLens are used exclusively for the foundation’s public benefit objectives and are not distributed as profit.
Special thanks
Most historic places we visit today are fragments of what they once were. A few remaining stones. An empty square.Ruins that hint at something greater.
But what did it really look like? How did it feel when the space was alive? TimeLens opens a window to the past. Standing at the site itself, you see the place restored in its full glory, all around you.
Support future reconstructions and become part of the TimeLens legacy.
Public benefit information
Activities and financial reporting
The TimeLens Foundation collaborates with the development team behind the TimeLens app (Ciceroni).
Ciceroni manages the app and develops commercially viable locations within the app, while the foundation supports projects at historically significant locations that are not commercially viable.
Funds obtained through the foundation are used exclusively for the foundation’s objectives in the public interest and are not distributed as profits.
As the foundation has only recently been established in February 2026, activity reports and financial statements are not yet available.After completion of the first full financial year, the activity report and financial statement will be published on this page.
Last updated: March 2026
Objective
The TimeLens Foundation aims to increase historical awareness and appreciation of heritage among a broad public. The foundation seeks to make history accessible, understandable and tangible, with a particular focus on historical locations and events within their spatial and social context.
In doing so, the foundation focuses on making cultural and historical heritage accessible to as wide an audience as possible and contributes to education, knowledge transfer and social reflection through accessible forms of presentation.
The current policy plan of the TimeLens Foundation can be viewed here.
Foundation details
Company name:
Stichting TimeLens
KvK/Chamber of Commerce:
99923432
RSIN:
869189189
Location:
Franklinstraat 161, 2562 CD The Hague, The Netherlands
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Choose your role in the TimeLens story
Start as an Explorer, follow our progress, and support new historic reconstructions.As your support grows, you unlock new levels — from early previews and behind-the-scenes insights to giving feedback on upcoming TimeSpots.At higher tiers, you can actively shape the future of TimeLens: vote on which locations are developed next, have your name featured, or even become part of history yourself by appearing in a reconstruction.
Every level brings you closer to the process — turning your support into a real impact on how new places, stories, and experiences are created.
