Successful Roman festival inspires
Roman life in Wiesbaden as it was 2,000 years ago: More than 60 actors and actresses from 20 well-known Roman groups gave around 12,000 visitors an authentic insight at the Roman Festival on Saturday and Sunday, September 13 and 14, with demonstrations on Kochbrunnenplatz.
As a journey back in time to Wiesbaden's Roman roots, the Roman Festival invited those interested in Roman history, and especially families with children, to immerse themselves in the world of 2,000 years ago. Romans settled here because of the hot springs and gave the place the name Aquae Mattiacorum.
On the two days of the event, around 12,000 visitors filled the camps of the performers and the various activity areas on the festival grounds in front of the Kochbrunnen, where the large Roman thermal baths were located.
High popularity
The number of guests clearly exceeded the organizers' expectations. The aim of the Roman Festival as a new, attractive event was to raise awareness of Wiesbaden's Roman origins in urban society and at the same time strengthen the city center as a cultural tourist location.
The great popularity and the colorful, cheerful hustle and bustle during the event showed that this was successful. The fact that the committed and experienced performers and showmen of the Roman groups met a very interested and knowledgeable audience also contributed to the success of the event. This togetherness contributed significantly to the good atmosphere and enthusiasm of all participants at the Wiesbaden Roman Festival.
Program to touch, participate and learn
The varied program of the Roman festival ranged from legionaries, crafts, music, painting, religion and the art of healing to Roman food and drink.
In addition to Roman camp life, the realistic and expertly moderated gladiator fights in the arena built from bales of straw, the birds of prey show with various wild birds such as the impressive bald eagle and Roman music with performances of various instruments, such as concerts on the hydraulis, the Roman water organ, were particularly popular.
The many offers for children were particularly well received. Numerous hands-on stations from the Roman groups and sam invited the young guests to try things out and join in. The sam's scientifically based open-air exhibition on Roman Wiesbaden and the information provided by the Friends' Association were very popular with older visitors. The city walks organized by the Wiesbaden Tour Guide Association to the traces of Aquae Mattiacorum and the guided tour of the Roman open-air museum at the Römertor were also used as attractive offers.
All guests were able to relax in the Roman beer garden around the Kochbrunnen fountain by the music stage. Visitors were able to redeem the admission price of two euros for adults and one euro for children at the food stands such as the Roman tavern.
Promotion
The Römerfest was funded as part of the federal program "Zukunftsfähige Innenstädte und Zentren" (ZIZ) of the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Building. The aim is to provide new impetus for vibrant city centers with innovative, temporary measures.
Further information:
- www.wiesbaden.de/sam: sam - Stadtmuseum am Markt
- Tour guide Wiesbaden (opens in a new tab)
- Roman city walk - a virtual city walk through Wiesbaden shows the important sites of Roman life in the Hessian state capital. (opens in a new tab)
- Rider of the LEGIO XXI RAPAX, Hermann Klinkhammer (opens in a new tab)
- Federal program "Sustainable inner cities and centers" (opens in a new tab)