Yes, that’s a new word, in French ‘Romanité’, and seemingly fitting for Nîmes, France, which has been called the ‘most Roman city outside Italy.’ The city, which has just finished its weekend of ‘Great Roman Games’ is about to open a €60 million glass-fronted Musée de la Romanité.
The museum covers 25 centuries from before the Roman conquest that made the city an important provincial capital through centuries of Roman rule and ends with the influence of the Roman years on later centuries. It’s a big addition to Nîmes’ other Roman attractions, including a nearly-intact temple and a large arena that’s home to football, bull-fighting and more, as well as the annual Roman games.
While the museum celebrates and explains times gone by, it’s definitely a 21st-century venue, with heavy use of virtual reality, 3D recreations, light shows and other display techniques to bring the past to life. For a fuller description of the museum from The Guardian (UK), click HERE
