The Roman Empire stretched from Hadrian’s Wall to the Sahara Desert at its peak. If that doesn’t impress you, not a lot will, but for those it does, we’ve got the museum for you. Just an hour from Birmingham, the Jewry Wall Museum has reopened to offer a glimpse at a fraction of this one great empire.
With the remains of a Roman bathhouse at its heart, the Jewry Wall Museum is home to one of the largest civic Roman ruins in the country. Having opened over the weekend (Saturday, July 26), it combines 2nd century archaeology with 21st century technology to tell the fascinating story of everyday life in Leicester 2,000 years ago.
“We can now shout proudly about our 2,000 years of history and Leicester’s place in Roman Britain,” said Sir Peter Soulsby, Leicester City Mayor.“Thanks to archaeological discoveries and interactive technology, the Jewry Wall Museum can reveal the public and private lives of the residents of Ratae Corieltauvorum like never before.”
What can I expect from the Jewry Wall Museum?
On arrival at the Jewry Wall Museum, visitors will be taken on an immersive journey through Roman Leicester and introduced to ‘Marcellus’ – the son of a Roman soldier and a local woman – who will act as their guide to the ancient city of Ratae Corieltauvorum.
Brought to life by acclaimed British artist Scott Tetlow, Marcellus and the other characters will help recreate the vibrant street scene of Roman Leicester, while interactive displays, projections and games will provide engaging and educational insight into everyday life in the 2nd-century city.
As one of the most archaeologically explored cities in the UK, Leicester has a vast collection of Roman artefacts, with more than a hundred items on display at the new museum that were discovered in Leicester and Leicestershire. These include Roman mosaics, wall plasters, jewellery, pottery, bronzework and coins.
“Jewry Wall isn’t just a museum – it’s a bold reimagining of how we tell Britain’s Roman story,” said Phil Hackett, General Manager of Jewry Wall Museum. “By combining powerful archaeology, local discovery and world-class technology, we’ve created an experience that’s both deeply immersive and genuinely educational.
To learn more about the Jewry Wall Museum – A Real Roman Experience head here.