EXARC Members Lead a Proposal for Rome Limes Park

EXARC members Robert Schmits and Archaeologist Tom Hazenberg together with a group of international partners, are currently raising funds to bring an ambitious new archaeological attraction to life: the Rome Limes Park.

The initiative, led by Limes Park BV, a company established in the Netherlands in 2022, aims to create a large-scale open-air historical museum near Rome, reconnecting the city with the broader story of the Roman frontier, or “Limes.”

The project seeks to reintroduce the concept of the Frontiers of the Roman Empire to Rome itself, bridging the gap between the capital and the vast border systems that once defined Roman power. Organizers envision the park as both an educational and cultural hub, aligned with key stakeholders including the city of Rome, the Lazio regional government, ICOMOS, and UNESCO.

Aerial view of the proposed Rome Limes Park.

The Rome Limes Park initiative envisions a fully immersive reconstructed landscape on the outskirts of Rome, designed as a 20-hectare park that allows visitors to step back into the Roman frontier of 100 AD. Visitors would enter a historically inspired environment featuring Roman military installations and civilian settlements (vicus), combined with a dynamic programme of living history experiences.

The park is designed as a full-day destination, offering entertainment, education, and cultural engagement. Among the planned highlights are live-action performances and demonstrations, including Roman cavalry shows, Roman infantry displays, gladiator performances, dramedy theatre, and Roman artillery demonstrations.

In addition to the reconstructed historical environment and scheduled shows, the proposed Rome Limes Park would also include the Limes Museum, a conference hall, a restaurant, various food stands, children’s playgrounds, and potentially a hotel, creating a broader cultural and visitor infrastructure around the historical theme.

Rendering of the Limes Museum.

The park is also set to emphasize entertainment alongside education. Carefully curated performances, demonstrations of daily life, and opportunities to participate in ancient crafts will allow both children and adults to engage directly with history. Guests will be able to taste Roman- inspired recipes, observe traditional techniques, and explore the cultural diversity that characterized the empire’s borders.

Organizers say the goal is not only to inform, but to inspire. After a day at the Rome Limes Park, visitors are expected to leave with a richer appreciation of how Roman achievements, social, cultural, and technological, continue to shape societies today.

The initiative is currently in its planning and fundraising phase, with proponents working to build an international network of supporters and stakeholders.

If successful, the Rome Limes Park could become a major new destination for cultural tourism, offering a fresh perspective on Rome’s enduring legacy.

All images are courtesy of Robert Schmits.