I was abroad when it was revealed that our Danube limes section, Ripa Pannonica would not be designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site this year. The reason is known: the exclusion of the valuable but currently unexcavated and unseen Governor's Palace on Hajógyári Island from the list of candidate sites, due to a sudden government decision in May. According to the official justification, the government made this decision because World Heritage site protection would prevent the reconstruction of Emperor Hadrian's former palace.
Well, debates could be had about reconstruction versus non-reconstruction, and I have my nuanced opinion on it as well, but that exceeds the scope of a simple blog post. Instead, I will show you something now that is not reconstruction, yet a creative way of evoking the past.
Xanten (Germany) started its history as a military fort. Then around 110 AD, it obtained the rank of colonia from Emperor Trajan and functioned as Colonia Ulpia Traiana, becoming the second largest city in the Germania Inferior province during the 2nd and 3rd centuries, just after Colonia Agrippiensis (modern-day Cologne). This is demonstrated by its partially excavated public buildings, temples, and even an amphitheater. Yes, in the Xanten archaeological site, we encounter several reconstructed buildings for exhibition purposes. The amphitheater has been partially reconstructed, but you can also visit a civilian street and a smaller bath, similar to Carnuntum.
The ruins of the large public bath received quite an exceptional "covering." Essentially, the former bath unfolds before our eyes, not as a reconstruction, but as a protective building. In another part of the structure, there is a completely modern, brilliantly constructed, and well-conceived museum. The Xanten Archaeological Park truly offers a comprehensive visitor experience: exploring the vast area alone takes 2-3 hours, and adding another 1-1.5 hours for the museum. Taking into account that Xanten even has a Roman restaurant, visitors spend at least 4, but rather 6 hours in the park without getting bored. Click on the gallery at the end of the post for proof.
There was only one scene that I could have done without: the Algida ice cream flag in the reconstructed street that jolted me out of the otherwise beautifully constructed time travel experience, leaving me with a jet lag that persists to this day.
But how did Lucifer say it in the Roman scene in our famous drama, Tragedy of the Man?
'This scene gives me a thrill somehow in my heart,
But I’ve to fight only against the man!
He is doing for me what I can’t at all:
That’s a similar joke I have often seen.'
