Haven’t thought about the Roman Empire in a hot minute? We’re here to resolve that. If you consider yourself a proper ancient history nerd, you’ll want to book a trip to Leicester in 2025, because the city’s long-anticipated multi-million pound Roman museum is on it’s way.
Leicester’s Jewry Wall Museum closed to the public seven years ago so that a much-needed revamp and work on the Roman museum could get underway. Renos officially started in 2021 but thanks to contractors going bust and a little thing called Covid-19, it’s been super delayed.
Finally, though, Leicester City Council has confirmed that the brand new museum will open within the next eight months. It’s been built opposite the remains of a Roman bath house, called Jewry Wall, that dates back to AD160 when Leicester was known as Ratae. The site is supposedly the largest piece of surviving non-military Roman history in the UK.
Apparently, the new attraction will include a video walk through of the Romans in Leicester, a large mosaic and a collection of other Roman goodies that have been found in the area. The project was initially predicted to cost £7 million but recent estimations have more than doubled that figure to £15.5m (the council is yet to confirm, though).
Phil Hackett, the museum's general manager, told BBC News: ‘I know everywhere says this, but this [attraction] will be different to everywhere else.
‘We are creating an immersive experience, for the entrance to the museum, that just doesn't exist anywhere else.
‘This will be a real opportunity for people to come and experience Roman culture and living.’
Roaming Roman Britain
The UK is rich with cool ancient history, and you can still see many remnants of our Roman ancestors with your very own eyes. There’s this major Roman Empire exhibition happening at the British Museum, this recently discovered Roman tomb and a newly found vast Roman road network. And if you really want to nerd out, take a look at this Tube-style map of the UK’s Roman streets.
Did you see that the UK’s whitest beaches have been revealed?
Plus: Edinburgh’s legendary Jazz Bar is closing for good.
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