So you don’t give a damn about white marble busts or your umpteenth pile of rubble?What if I told you the statues and monuments that filled ancient Rome were actually ablaze with color? Yes, they were brightly colored and quite a spectacle.
Now an amazing immersive experience in Rome at the monument known as Ara Pacis, the altar of peace dedicated to Emperor Augustus, can take you back 2000 years.
The nightime show combines the latest technology with the best story telling to show you how the monument actually looked when it was first created and helps you to identity the cast of characters that adorn its four sides.
The monument was commissioned by the Roman Senate in 13 B.C. to honor the return of Emperor Augustus after three years away at war in Hispania and Gaul.
Originally located on the northern outskirts of Rome, it was then moved to Campus Martius and over the centuries became buried in layers of silt from the River Tiber. It was reassembled in its current location beside the Tiber under the direction of the Fascist dictator, Benito Mussolini.
Through video mapping, the colors and details of the monument come alive and an audio guide – in Italian or English – gives the visitor fascinating information and sound effects.
Eight 4K laser projectors light up the bas-reliefs with colours that highlight the details. The reconstructions are based on scientific studies and comparisons with Roman art; the plant frieze has been reinterpreted thanks to the identification of over 50 real species.
The 45-minute tour is divided into four stages and takes you on a journey of the monument, revealing its ancient history and rediscovery drawing on the voices of the 16th-century collectors, restorers, and archaeologists who restored this masterpiece.
The visit begins at the main facade of the monument where the visitors learn about the mythical origins of Rome and Augustus’s family.
Circulating around the four sides of the monument, visitors are introduced to members of Augustus’s very powerful imperial family, and the many priests, magistrates and others who were part of his entourage. On the southern frieze, Augustus appears, his head veiled, surrounded by a vast procession as he prepares for the sacred rite.
Just across the road, Emperor Augustus’ grand tomb is currently being restored and when that is completed it will be worth adding both locations to your next tour of Rome.
For more go to: arapacis.it
